What do I love about college sports?
I love the excitement, the thrill that only comes from school pride rooted deep inside the heart.
I love the fist pump after the last strikeout in the 9th inning, the interception that leads to 200-pound man-boys jumping up and down like little kids, and even the collapse of exhausted sweaty bodies on the floor after a missed last-second three-pointer.
I love the mascots and the history and the tradition that cannot be duplicated with millions of dollars.
What do I love about college sports?
I love that it brings people together. A sea of purple and yellow on one side and a sea of blue and gold on the other. And then it’s red against blue. Everyone wearing their school colors with pride. Joining together to chant and cheer and chase a dream.
I love that it makes friends of us all. People high-fiving after a run scores, sharing stories in between innings, and even opponents greeting each other with “Good luck on y’alls game.” And meaning it.
I love that it unites even while it’s dividing.
What do I love about college sports?
I love that it’s taken me to places I may not otherwise have been. Knoxville and South Bend. Columbus, Nashville, and Des Moines. Omaha and in a few months, Lincoln.
I love that when I’m in these places, I’ve made more friends than in all my years of living in California.
I love that it’s brought me to Jethro’s BBQ, Steak ‘n Shake, The Bluebird Cafe, The Varsity Club, and Murphy’s Bleachers. And to TD Ameritrade Park, Neyland Stadium, and The Horseshoe.
What do I love about college sports?
I love my school. Wearing my UCLA shirt with pride, especially while the arrogant LSU fans skulk back to their cars.
I love the painful exhiliration of nerves that swarms my stomach. Holding my hands in the same position before each pitch because I think it will bring good luck. Making sure I look at the IU sign in the outfield before each at bat because I did it once and #4 got a hit.
I love that I have no idea if it was the lucky penny or the same hamburger or the not-buying a souvenir shirt or the homemade screen-printed t-shirt I wore that has UCLA on this winning streak. And I love wanting them to win so badly that I think it might be one of these things, so I’ll have the penny with me and the shirt on and a hamburger in my nervous stomach before tonight’s game.
What do I love about college sports?
Everything.
