March Madness

I love watching college basketball. The passion, the pride, and for me the punishment. You see for the last 7 eventful years ago I became fan of the Marquette Golden Eagles, changing my life forever. Ever hear of them? probably not. Well for those that havent, they play in the Big East Conference which is known and often heralded as the best conference in the Nation. They had an outstanding season after losing 4 seniors from the year before, and wound up receiving an at-large bid to play the Washington Huskies in the 1st round of the NCAA tournament. But before i get to that, I must mention that watching this team play is like not buckling your shoulder brace on a roller coaster. Almost every single game seems to come down to the last possession, and I never know if feelings of heartbreak or jubilation will follow. Marquette is known for playing hard and intense basketball and are vertically challenged not having a man over 6ft 6 actively playing on their roster. That's not a recipe for success in Division 1 basketball, yet through all ods they still win. The team is selfless and no ego exists, they know their role and do it. Now back to the game against Washington, it's a basically a shooting clinic in the 1st half, with each team virtually on fire from everywhere on the court. Marquette takes a 3 point lead into half, I exhale and, am decently pleased, yet cognizant of heartbreaking losses earlier in the year which temper my exuberance.
Second half, the Golden Eagles fly out of the gate ( pun intended) and open up a 15 point lead, sending me into a frenzy. But slowly the Huskies begin chipping away and that lead begins to dissipate. 30secs left what do you know the game is tied, and the Huskies have the ball. As each second pass, a part of me starts to erase with it, and then in happens, a Husky emerges from his slumber of holding the ball, killing precious time and heads towards the rim like a ravid beast. Literally time stands still as the Husky looks to deposit my ho,pe into the rim and end my teams season, and he does just that. Marquette loses 80-78 another familiar gut wrenching result. Do I quit being a fan? Do I find a more popular, better team? Do I give up on my boys? No my friend, I will not. Marquette is my team no matter what, because in every opportunity for heartbreak, their is also chance for joy. It's those moments of suspense and uncertainity that helps make one feel alive. In a few short months, the Golden Eagles will arise from the ashes and fly once again, and i'll be watching.