By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Members of the Providence College men’s basketball team climbed aboard a bus Wednesday, bound for the airport and the first leg of their trip to the NCAA Tournament’s “Sweet Sixteen” in Chicago.

A crowd estimated by campus police at close to 300 lined a walkway, cheered and applauded as team members and staff walked to the bus.

“Anytime you can get this amount of love from our community it’s great. I’m really happy for our players, I’m happy for our staff,” said Coach Ed Cooley.

“We know we’ve got a monumental job ahead of us but… why not the Friars? It’s a great opportunity for all of us, just look at the joy and energy that it’s brought to our city and our state, I couldn’t be more proud,” Cooley told reporters, as he turned, posed for pictures with young fans and boarded the bus.

The Friars continue their pursuit of the NCAA title in a game Friday against the University of Kansas.

Tipoff is 7:29 P.M. Friday, the game is on WPRO.