A Closer Look Editor's Column: Your welcome VSU

The 21-17 loss of the CIAA Championship Game Nov. 15 was and is a frustration for all of us, and I’m sure it was an extremely tough defeat for those 29 seniors who will not be returning next fall to play.

But at the risk of sounding cliché, and possibly arrogant, our guys won much more that a ring couldn’t even suffice. We became the face of the CIAA.

According to a Nov. 14 "press release" posted on Virginia State’s Facebook page "…I could not be more proud of our #VSU Trojan team. Their class, dress and dignity were on full display as opposed to… well let’s just say, whooping, chants, barking and other strange noises are more suitable to a middle school assembly than a collegiate awards banquet… No matter the outcome, Coach Scott has a team of WINNERS!"

To the writer of that press release, I applaud you. You did your job by making it known that your VSU football players finally did what they were actually supposed to do — know their place.

A position they [yes they] forgot last year during the championship banquet fall 2013. Visit www.uTube.com/ watch?V=0Pof4z3i4YM

The Ram football players "whooping, chants and barking" aren’t childish, but leave it up to VSU to say so.

It’s the nature of competition.

Not indulging them doesn’t classify them as winners; it just means that this year the players were able to have some self-control.

Discounting the insensitive Instagram featuring the bruised face of starting QB Ruddy Johnson – after he was attacked by VSU players during last season’s infamous banquet I’ll give credit to VSU. Visit www.uTube. com/watch?V=0Pof4z3i4YM

It was an impressive game. And VSU fans and players should really thank the Rams.

VSU’s football players seized opportunities throughout the game and conquered a powerhouse Ram team -- that throughout this season has trampled its CIAA competition. Since 2010, the game wasn’t just about the championship or even making it to the playoffs, it was about taking down the Rams.

And thank you VSU, for becoming something the Winston-Salem State Rams football team hasn’t seen in a long time from this conference: Competition.