In My Humble: The College Football Gameday Experience

In My Humble: Where is the Loyalty?

In My Humble March Madness Update

The Madness

Well ladies and gents, it's that time of year again. The regular season of college basketball is over and the madness known as the NCAA Tournament has officially begun.  

By now most of America's brackets have been wrecked by upsets (Duke v. Mercer), but that's precisely why we love the NCAA Tournament. It's a one and done deal. You play well, you move on - you don't play well, you go home. Wichita State University completed the first undefeated regular season since The Running Rebels of UNLV did so during the 1991 season. Awesome right? To quote the great poet Lee Corso, "Not so fast my friends."  #1 seed Wichita State's season was just ended in the second round of the tourney by the 8th seeded Kentucky Wildcats.  Oh, the madness!

Billionaire Warren Buffett issued a billion dollar - that's right - a billion dollar bracket challenge for the perfectly completed bracket.  I think it's safe so assume that Buffett will be able to hold onto that billion bucks. Roll Call:  Duke, UNC, Kansas, Ohio State, all gone fishing.  I'll pose this question.  Who among us had Stanford University or The University of Dayton making the Sweet16?  If you did, then I need those winning Powerball numbers por favor!   

There's still a long way to go, and a tons of basketball to be played until we crown this years national champion.  The Final Four will take place at "Jerry World" aka AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tx.  So until that last buzzer sounds remember; it ain't over until the sometimes skinny, sometimes fat, and now deceased man (Luther Vandross) sings! 

Oh, the madness!

In My Humble: NBA vs NCAA Basketball

The Winter Games

I like to fashion myself a fine connoisseur of all things athletic.  It doesn't matter the sport; if it's on TV, I'll most likely watch it. One of my favorite sporting events to watch has been, and still is, the Winter Olympics.  

The Winter Olympics aren't as elderly as it's summer brethren. The First winter games were held in 1924, in Chamonix Frances.  The five original sports consisted of: Bobsleding, Curling, Ice Hockey, and Nordic Skiing - (Military Patrol, Cross Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping, and Skating.) The Winter Games were held every four years from 1924-36, only to be interrupted by WWII, before returning in 1948.  Winter Olympics have been held in over eleven different countries and on three different continents.  

No I can't ski, figure skate, curl, or bobsled. What I can do: appreciate the hard work, commitment, and sacrifice of athletes who compete at the highest levels.  What higher level is there to compete, than at the Olympics? History is literalIy made at the Winter Olympics. Dick Button was the first American skater to win Olympic gold in 48' and 52'. Peggy Fleming overcame the death of her coach (Bill Kipp) in a plane crash, to win gold in Brussels at the 61' games. 

America's Dorothy Hamill brought home the gold medal in women's figure skating during the 76' games in Innsbrook Austria. The "Miracle on Ice" saw the 1980 US men's hockey team knockoff the vaunted Soviet's, en route to the gold medal.  In the 92' games,  Toni Nieminen of Finland, became the youngest Winter Olympic gold medalist at age 16.  

I remember sitting in front of the television cheering on Italy's Alberto Tomba as he raced down a snowy hill; ultimately winning the Men's Giant Slolam during the 88' games in Calgary.  I sat in amazement watching the excellence of the Ukraine's Oksana Baiul, who won ladies singles gold in Lillehammer Norway in 94'.  I was astounded by the unbelievable courage of Austrian downhiller Herman Maier.  Maier survived an early crash, then went on to win gold in the Super G and Giant Slolam, during the 98' games.  I marveled at the beauty and grace of the 92' gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi's performance in the ladies single figure skating compitetion.   

Underdog stories at the Winter Olympics become legendary.  The Jamaican bobsled team became famous during the 88' games. The Jamaicans were the first team from a tropical nation to compete at the winter games. American speed skater Shani Davis became the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal (1000m) in 06' in Turin Italy; and again winning in 2010 at the Vancouver games. 

 I reiterate, history is made during the Olympics.  

I must admit that I watch the Winter Olympics as I do the summer games; with my heart firmly invested in the American athletes that are competing.  The list of great American Olympians include:  Dan Jansen, Brian Boitano, Picabo Street, Lindsay Vonn, Shaun White, Bonnie Blair, Eric Heiden, Scott Hamilton, and Michelle Kwan; just to name several. When an American medals in an event, it brings me a sense of national pride. What can I say but; USA USA USA! 

The  closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia has me a bit melancholy. I have to wait four more years to witness history.  Until then, athletes will train and sacrifice for the chance to represent countries at the next winter games; in PyeonChang South Korea.  No I can't ski, skate, or bobsled.  What I can do is patiently wait for the next group of Winter Olympians to live vicariously through. Until then, I'll leave you with this quote.  

“Focus, discipline, hard work, goal setting and, of course, the thrill of finally achieving your goals.

These are all lessons in life.”

–Kristi Yamaguchi, gold medalist in figure skating

In My Humble: 2014 NBA All-Star Game Reserves