Typically this is my favorite time of the year.  After all, it’s “March Madness!”  The sun should be shining, the NCAA basketball tourney is about to begin, and Spring Training is in full swing.  On Sunday, the basketball brackets will be announced, and since I’m now retired, I can watch all the games I want without feeling guilty about skipping work.  I also have the freedom to travel and see my team play once the pairings are set in place this weekend.  Unfortunately my team, Indiana , has played “badly” this year and unless a minor miracle occurs and they can win three more games in the Big Ten Tournament, I will not have a team to follow throughout March Madness.  I could be stuck with “March Badness,” and a spot in the N.I.T. (Not in Tournament).  Should I also mention that the sun is not shining, as the Portland monsoon continues?  No sun and no team equals a BAD March and a reason to be MAD.

I am excited today, as the Indiana team seems to have come together, so I’m meeting some fellow alumni at Buffalo Wild Wings for the televised game this afternoon against Wisconsin.   Indiana cannot seem to beat Wisconsin so I have reduced expectations.  However, yesterday’s get together for the game against Iowa created some guarded optimism. As a friend pointed out, all Indiana has to do is win 10 straight games to win the National Championship, something I haven’t witnessed since 1986 – over 30 years ago.  It’s a great memory – taking time off work to drive to New Orleans and win it all on a last second shot.  I’d like to have just one more of those memories before I die.  I won’t have to take off work to do it – if the team is willing and able.

I have another reason to be upset.  Having grown up in Indiana, the rival school Purdue has already won the regular season Big Ten Championship and I’m jealous.  I’ve lost most of my hatred for Purdue, since a “cruel” twist of fate took my career to Lafayette and the Boilermaker community.  I used to always say:  “Spring arrives when Indiana is still playing basketball and Purdue is not.”   Since Spring in Portland is all about rain – it’s no longer one of my favorite seasons, and Purdue is no longer my enemy.  I also have to contend with the Butler Bulldogs, since my wife is a graduate. Both Purdue and Butler are on firmly on track this year to be part of the Big Dance.  I hate to say it but Indiana just may be the first sign of Spring this year!

My friends and I are making plans to go to San Jose for the Sweet 16, with expectations of Gonzaga or Oregon playing there.  These are two teams that I’ve adopted since moving to Portland, but I can’t seem to find the same passion that I feel for Indiana.  Maybe Purdue or Butler will be there – who knows?  I do enjoy the excitement of high school and college basketball, so regardless of who makes the Sweet 16 it will be a fun weekend and a reunion with other college buddies that I haven’t seen since that last Indiana National Championship.

It’s been a good sports year for me so far!  The Cubs are World Champions and I was there.  Plus, I’ve already been to one Spring Training game with plans to attend regular season games in LA, Chicago, and Seattle.  I also plan to attend All Star Weekend in Miami with my son.  Baseball seems to have surpassed Basketball as my favorite sport for the first time in my life – and they say you’re too old to change.

I like this retirement stage in life, and hope that it doesn’t get “old.”  I know that I will – but I don’t have to play – just watch!  Go Hoosiers!