Scott Golmic is facing a 14-hour drive today, and he couldn't be happier or more excited at the prospect.

He and four of his classmates at Robert Morris University in Moon are driving to Minneapolis to cheer for their basketball team playing in the Midwest Regional first-round game NCAA tournament.

"This is something we will always remember, this road trip," said Mr. Golmic, a senior and a communications major from Cranberry. They have tickets in hand, purchased from the university, to watch tomorrow night's game when the Colonials -- a 15th seed -- play Michigan State, a second seed.

"There is excitement throughout the student body. Actually, this whole season has been so exciting," said Mr. Golmic, senior class president.

And the enthusiasm is in the community with a billboard on University Boulevard congratulating the Colonials on their invitations to "the big dance."

Though the first-round game appears to be a David vs. Goliath matchup (Michigan State has 36,337 undergraduate students vs. RMU's 3,773), fans are optimistic that the Colonials' first appearance in the tournament will not be their last.

Mr. Golmic said he and his friends "hope we'll be staying in Minnesota throughout the weekend." If Robert Morris wins, they would play the winner of the Boston College and Southern California game on Sunday.

The excitement level at RMU rises all the way up to the president's office.

"There's a Cinderella team in every tournament. This year it could be us," said Gregory G. Dell'Omo, president of Robert Morris University. He and his wife, Polly, flew out yesterday on the plane with the basketball team. At the big game they'll be sitting in the first row behind coach Mike Rice and the players.

Robert Morris University's last appearance in the NCAA tournament was in 1992.

Students, faculty and staff are all "very excited," said Dr. Dell'Omo. "Everyone is caught up in this. Academics come first, of course, but sports play a major role in school spirit. Division I sports attract a lot of people who make inquiries about a school."

Getting into a major tournament "raises the profile of the university. It's advertising that money can not buy," said Dr. Dell'Omo.

College and university officials expect to see an increase in inquiries, campus tours and admission applications when their teams advance to a major tournament.

"Success breeds success," Dr. Dell'Omo said.

Because Robert Morris is a small school, "there is a great sense of community and we actually know players on the team," Mr. Golmic said. "They are nice, down-to-earth guys."

There are 561 Robert Morris University men and women competing in 23 Division I sports teams. The university president and the senior class president said the athletes are supportive of each other, often attending each others games.

The men and women's lacrosse players are especially supportive of the basketball team.

Lacrosse was added at RMU four years ago "and we get lacrosse players from all over the country," Dr. Dell'Omo said.

Lacrosse players have attended most, if not all, of the basketball games this year, Mr. Golmic said. In fact, they're part of the unofficial rooting section known as the Colonial Crazies, which is to RMU what the Oakland Zoo is to the University of Pittsburgh.

Sales of championship tee shirts have been brisk at the campus book store and web site.

"I proudly wore my RMU shirt when I went to Atlanta over spring break for the ACC tournament," said Mr. Golmic. "People from those big power house schools were coming up to me and congratulating Robert Morris for making the tournament. It was so exciting to see our school recognized."

Students and staff were invited yesterday to rally at noon at the Sewall Center on the Moon campus, as the team left for the airport.

"Join us for the sendoff and show them our support. Go Colonials!" said an e-mail from Marty Galosi, associate athletic director.

Students will watch the game on the Big Screen @ RoMo's Café beginning at 8 p.m. tomorrow night," says another campus announcement.

That get-together, as well as "special game day fare featured all evening" is hosted by the RMU Office of Student Life.

A previously scheduled screening of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" has been moved to 7 p.m. in the food court.