The Super Bowl took a back seat to politics at Sacred Heart University on Sunday, Feb. 3 when U.S. Senator and Republican presidential hopeful John McCain made a visit to campus.

McCain came just two days before Super Tuesday, when about half the country, including Connecticut voters, will go to the polls. It also marked his second visit to the University. The Arizona senator made a similar visit in March 2000 during his last bid for the presidency.

"We had such a wonderful time here the first time and we're very honored to be back here," McCain said, as he exited the gymnasium.

About 2,700 people filled the William H. Pitt Health and Recreation Center to hear McCain speak about the issues facing the country, including the war on terrorism - which he called "the transcendent issue of this century," the fragile U.S. economy, better care for veterans, tax cuts and pork barrel spending; and explain why he should be the next president of the United States.

"I know this nation's greatest days are ahead of us and I think I'm qualified to lead," he said to a thunderous applause followed by red and white confetti as he concluded his remarks.

Freshman Jasmin Vicente said she attended McCain's rally "to get a better understanding of the candidates in the Republican Party. It's my first time voting and he could possibly be our president. I want to make the right decision for the future."

Even those students who currently plan to vote for a Democratic candidate felt an overwhelming need to hear McCain speak in person. "I'm definitely in favor of Hillary or Obama right now but it's an interesting opportunity to hear him speak. I think people should be informed," said freshman Chris LeBeau.

"It's important we take an interest no matter which side you're planning to vote for. A big decision has to be made that will affect us greatly," said senior Gregory Vigliotta.

Junior Katie Dodaro said voters should be informed about the issues and all the candidates' standpoints before heading to the polls. Dodaro said seeing McCain in person made the political process "much more real."

SHU Student Government President Matt Telvi thanked McCain for visiting the University to speak about critical issues and said McCain has energized the electoral process.

Before taking the microphone, McCain was praised for his honor and courage by University President Anthony Cernera and a host of Republican politicians, including Lt. Governor Michael Fedele, U.S. Congressman Christopher Shays, former U.S. Congressman Rob Simmons and Connecticut's U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman. They were joined on stage by former U.S. Congressman Larry DeNardis and former U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Johnson.

Cernera told SHU students that McCain is "a man who ought to be an example to you of moral leadership and courage," because he stayed the course even under the most difficult of circumstances as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.

Lieberman said McCain refused an opportunity to be released from a prison camp, despite being subjected to "unspeakable torture," telling his captors he would not leave until every other American who was imprisoned before him was released.

McCain, who was accompanied by his wife Cindy and his 95-year-old mother Roberta, predicted he will win Connecticut on Tuesday "and we will win the State of Connecticut in the election in November with your help," he told the crowd. When McCain left the stage he made his way slowly through the audience shaking hands and signing some autographs.

It was a great moment for the University as well, said Political Science Professor Lesley DeNardis.

"We always try to get our students involved and engaged in politics and government and to become energized about getting involved in the political process of whatever affiliation that may be. It's tremendously exciting to have a presidential candidate of whatever stripe to come to our campus. It's not every day that something like that happens. Candidates have to be strategic about where they make their campaign stops so we feel very fortunate that he came here," said Lesley DeNardis.