? About 100 students from Sacred Heart University were in Washington for President Barack Obama?s inauguration Tuesday.

Although they didn?t have tickets to the ceremony, they say they were close enough to hear his speech and had the experience of a lifetime. Most students did not get back to Connecticut until 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, but they say it was not stopping them from getting up early to talk about the event.

Students say they feel lucky to have been pressed shoulder to shoulder with more than a million other people in Washington to witness history.?To turn around and look behind you and see all the people cheering ? I?ve never seen that many people in my life,? says student Matt Telvi.

Students say some in the massive crowd began to pass out due to the weather, but were amazed how organized and helpful people were.

SHU inauguration pictures