The University of Findlay will host a “United for the Oilers” community party on Saturday as the UF Oilers men’s basketball team plays California State Polytechnic University at Pomona for the NCAA Division II Championship.

The public is invited to join students, faculty, staff and alumni in cheering the Oilers on to victory in Croy Gymnasium. Pizza, pop and snacks will be served as the game is televised on two large screens. Doors will open at noon ahead of the 1 p.m. start for the game, televised from MassMutual Arena in Springfield, Mass., where busloads of UF fans have gone to cheer on the Oilers in person.

“We would like to make this a community event so everyone can share the spirit and the excitement of the game,” said David Emsweller, vice president for student services at the University. “The whole Findlay community has supported the Oilers throughout this 35-0 season, and we want to be sure everyone has the chance to support them in the title game.”

The Oilers, ranked first in the nation in Division II, advanced to the NCAA Championship game with a 67-65 win over Central Missouri on Thursday night. A crowd estimated at more than 750 turned out to watch the game on two large screens on Jim and Mira Houdeshell Court in Croy Gymnasium, which is home court for the Oilers. As the closing seconds ticked off the clock, students erupted onto the court to celebrate.

The University has sent three busloads of students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans, with numerous others driving on their own to cheer on the Oilers in Springfield. The unseeded Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona beat fourth-ranked Augusta (Ga.) State 74-70 for the right to play in the championship game, which will be nationally televised on CBS.

For more information or with media inquiries regarding the gathering at UF, please contact Suzanne English at 419-434-4425.

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

Go, Oilers!