It's time of the year again when people fight over brackets, watch TV nonstop and celebrate the best month for basketball! It's March Madness!
During this time of year, I always get a little jealous of my friends at schools who participate in the NCAA tournament because I would love to be able to cheer on my team with thousands of other people. However, there are other ways to celebrate and watch March Madness at a smaller school that, unlike Holy Cross, didn't make the tourney, or is a Division 3 school like mine.
1. Get into arguments with other fans.
On an average college campus you will find people cheering for different teams; however, it is not the case at a tourney school. If you were Duke and cheered for the Tarheels, you risked getting hurt. If you go to a smaller school like mine where people come from all over the country, no one will kick you out of a bar for cheering for someone else—unless it's OSU vs. Michigan but that's because of Ohio. It's great being able to see people cheering for so many teams, though personally I'm a Terps fan. Friendly competition and arguing are always fun too.
2. Make brackets for philanthropy.
Philanthropy is something I imagine big Division 1 schools do. To me, the best leagues to join are those who donate money to charities. If your Greek organization is looking for philanthropy ideas, this could raise a lot of money.
3. Host viewing parties!
These happen at every school but are awesome nonetheless.
4. Introduce people to March Madness.
In my experience, people at D1 schools know a lot more about NCAA sports, sports in general and care more about college sports than students at D3 schools like mine. One of my favorite ways to get into March Madness is to let my less knowledgeable friends in on the greatness of the tourney. For example, today my friend thought March Madness was about football. I set her straight and helped her make her first bracket. Spreading the joy of the tourney is a great feeling.
5. Get your professors in on the fun!
One of my favorite things about going to such a small school is the small classes. With smaller classes you tend to get more intimate with the professors. If you are close to a professor, suggest incorporating March Madness into class. This could mean finding the statistics of who will win, translating your bracket into a different language, diagnosing injuries during games and so forth. This makes class more fun and you may be able to catch more games too!
6. Show your team pride.
This relates to the idea of arguments, but is a bit different. At D3 schools, arguments start when you show your pride for your state school or other teams you cheer for. If I went certain rival state schools, I would be terrified to wear my Terps shirt. At a school that will never be involved at that level of athletic competition and has fans from all over, you can show your pride!
7. Cheer for your school and your favorite team.
I was really worried when I applied to colleges about going to a school where I would be betraying my family's allegiance by cheering for my school while betraying my favorite school by not cheering for them. At a D3 school, I'm not disrespecting our teams by cheering for other teams during March madness.
8. Avoid March Madness.
Personally, I would not do this. But, I know some people hate basketball or sports and don't want to deal with March Madness. This is easier to do at a Division 3 school than at a college with stakes in the tournament.
9. Watch the games at the local bar.
This is not unique to smaller schools, but it's fun nonetheless. Although it may be easier to get a table or have the game you want on at a smaller school's bar.
10. Enjoy a unique March Madness!
Every campus does things differently, so find your niche at your school to enjoy all the glorious basketball.
11. Watch all the basketball!
Stop reading this and go watch the tournament!
