The University of Findlay Oilers won the NCAA Division II National Championship on Saturday in Springfield, Mass.  The Oilers, now 36-0, topped California State Polytechnic at Pomona 56-53 in overtime to take the title.

When the team bus returned at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, a crowd of hundreds of supporters welcomed the team members and coaches in front of Croy Gymnasium.
As longtime coach Ron Niekamp held the national championship trophy and the net from the championship game, senior members of the team and each coach spoke, thanking the fans who had supported the team throughout the year — and in many cases, over years or decades.
While many traveled to Springfield to watch the tournament games, support had remained strong at home as well. About 1,000 fans crowded into Croy Gymnasium in Findlay to watch Saturday’s championship game on two large screens, spilling onto Jim and Mira Houdeshell Court - the Oilers' home floor - as the seconds ticked off.

Oilers National Championship T-shirts are available at all University stores, and through the University Stores Web site. Visit http://shop.findlay.edu, click on Clothing and Apparel from the menu at the top; choose Browse Adult Clothing from the middle section; scroll down until you see the T-shirt; follow online ordering instructions. If the shirt, which comes in two styles, does not appear, inventory is current sold out. Additional orders are expected.

Click here to visit the men’s basketball Web site for more information.