Stop the presses. Postpone the previously planned post. Forget (albeit momentarily) about the seizing of individual savings in Cyprus and the Defense of Marriage Act currently contemplated before the Supreme Court.
Forget, too, the 3 year anniversary of Obamacare — and the increasing wearying of the public, growing incrementally more knowledgeable about the actual, massive, embedded costs.
Ah, even forget for this day the promise of spring — especially as God’s sense of humor is once again evident, poking through the flakes of yet another Midwestern snow.
Yes, forget all of the above in today’s tribute to one event, one little school… a school of only 12,000, with pretty much zero famous alumni, residing just south of Fort Myers, Florida… a university which only offered its first class in August of ’97, which has now arguably, easily evolved into the sweetest story of the NCAA’s Sweet 16.
On Sunday, Florida Gulf Coast University became the first 15th seeded basketball team to ever advance to the 3rd round of the NCAA’s notoriously maddening, men’s basketball tournament. With all due respect to their (now obviously disappointed) opponents, the 2nd seeded Hoyas of Georgetown and 7th seeded San Diego State, the Eagles from Florida GC are the sweet story that has stopped the presses. Note captions from an increasingly captive audience:
“Cinderella Story Florida Gulf Coast”
“Florida Gulf Coast University: They’re for Real and They’re Spectacular”
“Florida Gulf Coast Makes NCAA History”
Perhaps best expanded upon by Eric Adelson of Yahoo Sports: “They came from a made-up place called Dunk City, a rollicking, refreshing GIF-machine consisting of nobodies who became somebodies with dunks and oops and just enough sass to raise an eyebrow. And now the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast University have made history: They are the first 15-seed ever to be one of the top 16 college basketball teams in America. But it’s not just that. No, not at all. It’s the way FGCU has leapt and heel-clicked and chicken danced into America’s hearts. It’s the memories they’ve made during games with their above-the-rim aerials and their below-the-backboard antics. In a college sporting world of corporate fakery and soiled amateurism, FGCU stands for pure joy.”
In the most recent prior post of the Intramuralist, you will note that we acknowledged the reason this tournament is so fun to watch is because a group of young men come together — undaunted by the impure influence of arrogance, money, and power — and humbly recognize that this game is “not about me.” There is a joy in that pursuit that an intelligent, watching world so often misses… perhaps because, too often, we omit that humility, and too often, it is the “me” we are about. Very bright, intelligent people still pursue the “me” first. And thus, very bright, intelligent people so often make foolish mistakes.
On the day before the tournament began, in the Intramuralist’s household, each of my sons completed their annual basketball bracket. My youngest son, Josh, an insightful 11 year old who also has Down syndrome, completed his as well. (Just for the record, he picked Duke to win; it’s the most fun school name to say.)
As we worked our way through the brackets — with me reading to Josh the name of each team, attempting, no less, not to over emphasize any opponent — he would articulate his forecasted winner. As we came to the Georgetown/Florida GC match up, without delay, Josh confidently proclaimed, “Florida Gulf Coast.” Wanting to steer my son wisely but not wanting to pollute the purity of our household’s competitive process, I hesitated, stared at my young son, and slowly said, “Really, Josh? Are you sure? Florida Gulf Coast?” To which, Josh paused, smiled, and while attempting to heed his parent’s caution, he then nodded slowly but affirmatively, saying, “Yes… Florida Gulf Coast!”
I, too, had obviously made a most foolish mistake.
(Go Eagles… go.)
Respectfully,
AR