With the confetti and streamers swept up off the floor in Minneapolis following the final game of the NCAA College Basketball Championship, the season is over for another year. As a Texas Tech fan, I bravely rode that roller coaster from the brilliant thrill of victory to the crashing agony of defeat right along with the team. With the players safely back home in Lubbock, perhaps even going to class (do players go to class?), the analysis of what went right and what went wrong begins. For us fans as well.
As a proud alumni faithfully now paying tuition for two current Red Raiders, I’m doing my part to support the team. As writer and Tech parent Jen Hatmaker states, “My dollars contributed. How? Perhaps they went to pay Coach Beard’s salary or maybe help buy basketball shoes or Icy Hot. I don’t know. I’m not an economist.” I’m not either, but I say, Preach that, fellow-check-writer! You don’t have to watch Public Television during the membership drive to know that every penny counts.
I cheered. I believed. I analyzed the opponents. I took naps on the days that the games didn’t even tip off until almost 9:30pm Eastern Time. I took every step of the journey right there with Coach Chris Beard. I screamed coaching tips and insight to him, instructions and pointers that I could see from my unique position in my living room in front of my television. All my neighbors heard me, I’m sure he did, too. If you’re reading this, Coach, let’s get together and talk about next season. I’ve got some ideas.
I wore the same lucky Texas Tech sweatshirt and sat in the same lucky chair drinking the same lucky drink for every game. Except one. I’m not proud to admit this, but I didn’t wear my lucky Texas Tech sweatshirt for the Finals. The only game they didn’t win. Yes, I’m riddled with guilt. Yes, I take full responsibility for the loss. I honestly don’t know what I was thinking. I let the team down when they needed me most. It won’t ever happen again.
It was a great game, a great season, an outstanding team, and Texas Tech has great fans. Yes, we’re disappointed, shocked, heartbroken, but it’s over and it’s time to look forward TO BASEBALL!!! YES!! Let’s play ball!!
