The Maryland Terps are going to the SWEET 16 and I’m dancing around my basement tonight. I believe they said it was the first buzzer beater of the tournament. Fitting given we have been beaten 4 times this year by that.

I’ve been a fan of this team since 1967 when I went to my first game. That was kind of strange, but it did break the ice a bit. And by that mean I had just lost my father at 9 years old and a year later my mother went to the Big Brother organization. An alumni of Maryland reached out and took me to a game, and I was hooked.

Cole Field House was a GIANT Stadium (for a 10 year old) about 15K seats. But the energy, excitement and game hooked me from that point. I started playing ball every day I had a chance. My friends did also and played for decades after. And we all follow Maryland passionately to this day.

But the sweetest thing about this now, my son is also a big fan. I so enjoy being able to go to games and talk basketball with him. And I see him developing that passion that will carry him throughout life. I can’t wait to take his son also.

I might have to break down and buy some merch for us now, to remember this special year.