Column: It's the most wonderful time of the year
Published April 9, 2010
Andy Williams doesn't know what he's talking about. Maybe he had one too many sips of eggnog, or maybe he has never been much of a sports fan, but right now, late March to early May, is undoubtedly the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year."
Now, I can see the singer's argument. Christmastime is pretty cool, in every sense of the word, but as far as sports go, springtime takes the cake. The glut of March Madness, baseball, the NFL Draft and the NHL and NBA Playoffs is enough to make sports fans wonder how they possibly made it this long.
For starters, we had the woman's basketball NCAA Tournament. It is simply incredible to see a force like Connecticut finish off a season with a perfect record. Winning a single game is obviously a considerable challenge, but bouncing back in the national championship to cap off their second consecutive undefeated season is almost unheard of.
Perhaps my favorite thing in all of sports is the upset. Very little can compete with the sensation of watching a creditless underdog force itself to victory against an established Goliath, in a game where the stakes are at their highest. This integral part of athletics is a big reason why filling out brackets for the men's basketball NCAA Tournament is so fun and why this year's tournament will be so memorable. I was rooting for my conservative pick to win outwardly, but deep inside I almost wanted to be proven wrong.
As hard as it is for me to stomach this, my sister predicted Northern Iowa to beat Kansas. In what I thought at first was reassurance to Andy Williams that he wasn't the only confused one, she had Ohio beating Georgetown and Butler making its first Final Four, only to have them lose in the national championship.
Unfortunately, she also predicted San Diego State, Robert Morris and Wofford would make their first Final Four appearances, but there's always next year. I loved getting to learn about the lesser-known programs and how I had trouble finding an article anywhere that wasn't about college basketball.
The great part about the beginning of the baseball season is that it is still mathematically possible for every team to make the World Series. After Monday, the Kansas City Royals were only one game out of first place in the AL Central. Watching seemingly possessed players inspire and almost believe themselves to victory throughout the season reveals who truly deserved to have their dreams come true.
Like baseball, hope springs eternal for many NFL franchises, this time due to the potential of prolific college talents. Football always seems to find a way squeeze itself into the spotlight, even in the off-season, and come the NFL Draft, there is definitely no complaining here.
The advent of the playoffs seems to bring a heightened level of pride in hometown teams, and let me tell you, there is nothing better. Even the players competing in the NBA and NHL this time of year seem to find another gear in the quest for that ever-elusive championship, making it all the more interesting to observe.
You don't have to be a sports fan to agree with me that this time is great. The weather is getting warmer, and school has got to be winding down one of these days.
Honestly, Andy, I want to hear your argument. It might be April, but I'm as happy as a kid on Christmas.