I’ve been in a strange mood today.
In fact, ever since the last second ticked off the clock during last night’s Butler game, I’ve been unable to shake this feeling that’s been draped over me. I had dreams about it last night, woke up thinking about it this morning, and here I am with it still on my brain this evening. It seems to permeate my thoughts no matter how hard I try to bring it to a peaceful resolution.
I finally decided that writing a blog and getting my thoughts out would help. I haven’t written in this blog for more than a year since I have a paid freelancing gig that eats up my free writing time, but I needed somewhere to put it so here it goes.
I played a lot of sports as a kid and am very dedicated to my favorite sports teams, but never have I felt a sporting “hangover” like this. Had my beloved Packers lost in the Super Bowl this year (I grew up in Wisconsin) it would have been a major letdown, but I don’t think I would have had the feeling I have today.
It sort of feels like I’ve been having the time of my life at the best party ever and suddenly the music shut off and the lights came on. The problem is I didn’t think about it ending and now that it has, I’m not ready for it to be over. It just happened so abruptly.
I felt a real connection to this team. It has taken my alma mater to heights unimaginable to any of us fans just two years ago. Less than 10 years ago, as a student, I thought just reaching the Sweet Sixteen was the greatest thing ever. Now, here we are having made back-to-back national championships.
I've also read a million articles chronicling the players' quirks, backgrounds and aspirations. Since last year’s run, every possible story angle has been covered and each in-depth look into the lives and minds of the players has drawn me in closer and made me realize what good people they are. These are not pro athletes cashing million-dollar checks, win or lose. These are college kids balancing school and work -- with aplomb, might I add -- and exhibiting an incredible amount of determination and class in a program with a fraction of the resources of teams in the power six conferences. Like the NCAA commercials say, "almost all of them will be going pro in something other than sports."
The NBA is a possibility for some, and playing overseas will beckon for others, but this group will never again don Bulldog jerseys and step onto the Hinkle hardwood as a cohesive unit ready to slay Goliath. Never again will they ignite us fans and turn us into screaming fools with a barrage of threes, courageous comeback or feat of awe-inspiring hustle. With last night’s loss, this group will never take the court together again in the form of a Butler basketball team.
And even though this team was different than last year’s team without Willie, Avery and Gordon, there was still enough of the same DNA left on the roster to make it feel like it was a continuation of what we did last year. Now, losing Matt, Shawn and Zach, the other seniors, and possibly Shelvin, it really does feel like it’s the end of an era.
I feel genuinely bad that they didn’t get to hoist that trophy last night and that they had to shed tears of frustration and sadness rather than tears of joy and pride. The article Dan Wetzel wrote (http://bit.ly/butlerway) darn near had me in tears myself. I had to choke back a lump to keep from looking like a fool at work. They deserved that win more than any other team I’ve known, but deserving just didn’t convert to reality this time.
There will be many more great Butler teams to come filled with other young men that will make their school and us fans proud. Heck, there may even be more runs through the NCAA tournament, but there will never be another span quite like this. Never again will it seem so beautiful, so improbable, or so undeniably magical.
But even if this is the highest peak I reach as a Butler basketball fan, if this is what I remember years from now as I reflect back, I know I’m very lucky to have even had the opportunity to experience it. And, all that said, I look forward to what this program will bring.
The past two years of success, and the student-athletes that fueled them through gritty determination and sheer will, have forever changed the face of this program. Butler basketball is no longer an underdog. It’s a force to be reckoned with led by, in my opinion, the absolute best coach in the country. Other coaches may have more wins or championships, bigger contracts or more highly touted recruits, but nobody does it with as much class, integrity or as genuinely as Brad Stevens.
I guess what I’m trying to saw is I’m darn proud to be a Bulldog.
