Last night, Theta Chi’s own Luke Hancock, Eta Chi/George Mason, became the first non-starter to walk away with Most Outstanding Player honors at the NCAA Championship. Hancock scored 22 points against Michigan to lead the Louisville Cardinals to a National Title – their first since 1986.
As the first half wore on, Michigan’s offense seemed to have little problem scoring against the Cardinals. Shortly before the half, Michigan was up 35-23. And then Hancock took over – scoring 14 points in less than two minutes, and bringing Louisville within one point of Michigan at the half. In the second half, the Cardinals came from behind again and seized control. In the games final minutes, Hancock calmly sank cruicial free throws to maintain Louisville’s lead. With a final score of 82-76 score, the Cardinals took home the trophy for what may go down in history as the most watched NCAA Men’s Championship game in years.
After graduating from Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke, Va., Hancock attended Hargrave Military Academy in hopes of earning a college scholarship. Hancock’s plan was fulfilled when he got the attention of George Mason University where he went on to have two successful seasons. While there, Hancock joined Eta Chi Chapter.
Hancock decided that it was time to transfer when GMU’s Coach Jim Larranaga accepted a position at Miami and took his entire staff with him. Hancock was courted by several universities, but selected the University of Louisville.
During his first off-season weight training program at Louisville, Coach Pitino saw a passion in Hancock unmatched by his teammates. It was that passion that led Pitino to make Hancock team captain for the Cardinals before he had even played his first game.
It’s this same motivation and leadership that helped Hancock lead the Louisville Cardinals to last night’s championship. Congratulations, Brother Luke Hancock!