For sports fans across the world, this is one of the most important months of the year. That's right, it's March Madness season everyone. But many wonder why I care about March Madness, even though I go to a school where we have only been to the tourney twice, and our record in March is 0-2.
I love my school's athletics program. I am not only a member of the Student Spirit Club we have here, but I attend almost every game that I can in every sport, from football and basketball, to tennis and soccer (my personal favorite). Unfortunately, NAU is not particularly known for their sports teams on a national stage. Throughout our conference, we are one of the better teams (I mean I would say that even if we weren't, but the statistics say it all). But nationally, our performances are not the best. This begs the question, why would I care about the national tournament if my school doesn't ever go? There are plenty of reasons why March is my favorite month of the year (other than the obvious, Spring Break).
Growing up in Tucson, Arizona, I was exposed to March Madness from a young age. The University of Arizona is known as having one of the best basketball programs in the country (even though they lost in this year's Sweet 16, but I'm not bitter at all...), and growing up around that atmosphere, it would be logical that I would be a major basketball fan. However, I discovered a love of sports late in life, and since then, there has been no turning back. March Madness for me is the one time of the year where I can put aside my problems and wake up at an ungodly hour (before 10am) on a Sunday just to watch Selection Sunday coverage. The one time of the year where I am pretty much glued to my TV, and when I'm not home, my laptop, just so I can watch games featuring teams I probably otherwise would never watch. Making your brackets (because you can never make just ONE bracket during March Madness) and picking which 12-seed will upset the 5-seed, who the first 1-seed out will be, who the "Cinderella story" of the year is, the whole ritual of it is amazing. The thrill of watching a game decided by a buzzer beating 3-point shot from the corner is unlike anything I've ever experienced. Putting aside your differences with other people and rooting for the same upset is such a bonding experience with people who never thought you'd bond with.
I love March Madness because for one month, you can begin to forget about all of your problems, and immerse yourself in the magic that is the tourney. Because it truly is magic, and madness. March Madness.
P.S. Go Jayhawks! Kansas for the win!
