Who Is Cinderella?

The Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast University have been all over the sports world since Friday night, and  their newly-found fame doesn't appear to be ending any time soon. After an amazing upset victory over highly-seeded Georgetown University in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, they shocked the world again with a win over the favored San Diego State University Aztecs — clinching a berth in the Sweet 16 and a spot in history as the first #15 seed to ever do so. Not to mention the emphatic fashion in which they've done so. They are led by Andy Enfield, a former assistant under Leonard Hamilton at FSU, who has already done wonders with a program so young. His fast-paced and fun style of play has people (and recruits) all over the country taking notice. He has already done such amazing things in his short time in Fort Myers ... the sky is the absolute limit.

Many people — and by many, I mean 99.9% of the U.S. population — probably didn't know who FGCU was heading into the tournament. I happen to be one of the few in the minority. Since the school is only about two hours away, it is a pretty popular choice amongst people from my high school and area ... I've had countless friends and classmates attend the university, including my lovely fiancée. It's pretty cool to hear our tiny regional college being discussed on a national basis ... and often.

Now they face a tall test in the form of the heavily-favored University of Florida Gators. When their magical run ends (if it ever does), nobody knows ... but let's take a look at the 'new kids on the block'.

• Founded in 1991 by the governor at the time, Lawton Chiles, the school was constructed in suburban Fort Myers, Florida (Estero).
• The first classes were held at the school in August of 1997.

• As you should know by now, they are called the Eagles and don uniforms in their school colors — cobalt blue and emerald green.
• They joined the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2007.
• After waiting the mandatory four-year transition period, per NCAA rules, the Eagles became eligible for the NCAA Tournament for the first time last year.
• After losing in the conference's championship game to Belmont last year, FGCU (as they are commonly called) beat Mercer in this year's finale to clinch a postseason berth which began the historic run they are now on.

I won't bore you with some of the less-interesting details, such as their great academic standing, their future expansion, or the beautiful campus which the media has mentioned countless times (they have a man-made beach right on campus!). Of course everyone loves the underdog, but that love only grows when you know the whole story behind this tiny school in southwest Florida. With my personal ties to the university, it makes it that much more enjoyable to see the magic that is taking place.

Catch the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles take on the #3 seed Gators on TBS at 9:57 PM ET! #DunkCity!