Senior Adam Wetschka is following the men’s basketball team to Salem, Va., for what he said is “a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

“The team is making a very special run,” Wetschka said. “I’ve been supporting them for the past four years, so why stop now?”

Wetschka said this is not only a special moment for the fans, but also the players.

“The majority of the team tasted it two years ago, [so] it’s good for them to get back,” he said.

Wetschka is one of 102 St. Thomas fans who bought tickets, said JoAnn Andregg, associate athletic director.

“Considering how hard it is to get there and how expensive it is, I thought that was a pretty good number,” Andregg said.

Earlier in the week, the university offered a charter bus to those interested in traveling to Salem for the Final Four game. The cost would have been between $213 and $280 per person, depending on the number of passengers. But Andregg said the trip was canceled due to lack of participation.

“Not enough people signed up,” she said. “They had to know by a certain time and date, and there were not enough takers.”

Students staying at St. Thomas will still be able to watch the game, which will be streamed in Scooter’s at 7 p.m.

Sophomore Gavin Yseth said he has been impressed by St. Thomas’ championship run.

“Not only how far they’ve gone, but how they’ve done it,” he said. “Tyler Nicolai hitting all of those last-second shots [was impressive].”

Sophomore Layla Mostaghimi said she wishes she could watch the game in Scooter’s but won’t be on campus.

“I give them all of my support, and I think they have the whole school behind them,” she said.

Kelsey Broadwell contributed to this story.

Brian Woitte can be reached at bmwoitte@stthomas.edu.