CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Ralph Sampson’s American Taproom was electric on Thursday as the Wahoos made their first appearance in March Madness this year. 

This time of the year is very special to many people including UVA basketball alumnus Ralph Sampson. 

Ralph’s restaurant nearly tripled the amount of staff they had today to make sure everything went smoothly during the start of the NCAA tournament.

The Assistant General Manager said they barely have any customers on typical Thursday mornings so they said having a full house to cheer on the Wahoos was great.

“Ralph, a couple of our higher-ups, our VP Eric Burgwin, they said this our Christmas. Make sure you have enough people on,” said Em Vannoy, Assistant General Manager Ralph Sampson’s American Taproom.

Some UVA fans shared why it’s so much fun watching the Wahoos play in March Madness. 

“Anything can happen in March Madness,” said Jackson Degel, a lifelong UVA Fan.

“And it’s fun, it brings people together and really makes for a great community event,” said Lisa Hudnall, a UVA fan. 

Even though UVA has been eliminated from the tournament, Ralph Sampson’s American Taproom will be open and ready to serve for the rest of the March Madness tournament.