It's official: Northwestern's in the Big Dance

Decades of frustration and disappointment came to a jubilant end Sunday when Northwestern University received a bid to join March Madness for the first time in the NCAA Basketball Tournament's 78-year history.

The Wildcats, who finished the season 23-11, received an 8 seed and will play Vanderbilt on Thursday in Salt Lake City.

Although there was little doubt the team would break Northwestern's long tourney drought, players, Head Coach Chris Collins, students and fans waited eagerly Sunday afternoon at their home court, Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, to get word of their official invite.

When it came, players leapt from their seats in joys and shared hugs as a throng of fans cheered them on.