Well, Indiana is not going to the NCAA tournament in Indianapolis but I am! A friend surprised me with tickets yesterday morning to the first rounds at Bankers Life and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. I’m amazed he got tickets considering only 25% capacity, but this was presumably repayment for taking him to the MLB All Star Game a few years ago. We had planned to go to Arlington a year ago for a Cardinals spring training match-up against the Rangers in the brand new Globe Life Park, but that game was cancelled like everything else last year. I was glad that he thought of me and will stay with a long-time friend in Indy who’s attended several tourney games with me. I will throw my allegiance this year to the Ducks, Zags, or maybe even the Boilers or Illini. 

At first I was reluctant to go, bitter about the I.U. season and their inability to go to the Indiana-based tourney – some of which will be held on their own floor. However, it’s a historic occasion with all 68 teams playing in the state. It will also add some excitement to Sunday’s tournament draw that will determine who we’ll be seeing on Friday, March 19th and Saturday, March 20th.  In addition, the games fall in a small window between doctor & dentist  appointments, my vaccine shot, closing, packing, and loading for the move to Florida. We’ll also pass through Indianapolis for the Final Four, but chances are slim for a ticket to that event. With tomorrow’s single-dose Johnson & Johnson appointment, I should be somewhat safe on the flight and at the various venues. 

March Madness started on a positive note with my high school team winning the Elkhart sectional. The merger of the two schools has once again made them sports competitive with success in both football and basketball this year. When I graduated in 1969 we were often a state powerhouse with enrollment exceeding 4,000, but the addition of a second school weakened both athletic programs. I’m glad they are now competitive, but disappointed that the once unique Blue Blazer nickname has be changed to the all-to-common, boring-roaring Lions. Why not Tigers or Bears? Oh My! Charger and Blazer fans are still revolting, but it’s still our team. They play a talented Gary West Side team in the regionals this Saturday.  I’m excited about going back home to Indiana and seeing some of the NCAA tournament action. Tourney Bound!