CHICAGO -- Providence coach Ed Cooley is a huge New England Patriots fan, and now has another reason to support his favorite NFL team.
The Patriots lent Providence their team plane to help transport support staff members and some fans to Chicago for Friday's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 matchup against top-seeded Kansas. The plane was spotted on the tarmac of T.F. Green Airport in Providence for a midday departure Thursday, according to the Providence Journal. Providence, a No. 4 seed, is making its first Sweet 16 appearance since 1997.
Cooley, who grew up in Providence and has spent his entire career in the Northeast, spoke Wednesday night with Patriots owner Robert Kraft.