This is my favorite season of the year. I love the NCAA Tournament. I love the upsets, the tears of joy and the tears of defeat. It was my first time seeing guys who were invincible on the court cry when the season came to an end. All the excitement is remarkable. The teams who are not suppose to win win. The teams who are suppose to win lose. It is unpredictable!
In 1991, the university I played for, Eastern Michigan University made it to the Sweet 16. That team still posts the school best record for wins. It was amazing. It was amazing for me because the schools I narrowed my choices to all went to the tournament (Penn State, Univ Green Bay Wisconsin and EMU). We beat Mississippi State (SEC Champions) that year 76-56. Our next game was against Penn State. Coach Parkhill had recruited me and I remember on my visit to the university that it was too big. We ended up beating PSU and Coach Parkhill after the game shook my hand on told me I made the right decision to go to EMU. We beat them in overtime to advance to the Sweet 16 (71-68). Our next challenge was UNC.
Nothing could prepare us for all the excitement. We represented the MAC Conference well. The year before Ball State University had made it to the Sweet 16 and lost to UNLV by 1 point. We were the shock of the tournament. It was game day and all any of us could think was the legacy of Dean Smith. We were overwhelm with respect and admiration. We had a great showing the first half, but UNC were just too big. They had 7 NBA players on the team (Pete Chilcutt, Eric Montrose, Hubert Davis, George Lynch, Rick Fox and Scott Cherry). They also boasted 7 McDonald's All American's on that team. Did I mention they had Coach Smith.
We knew we were in for a battle. I was shocked to see how well we performed the first half. The second half was all Carolina. The experience was unlike anything I had ever been apart of. It was an amazing ride. Duke went on to upset UNLV and beat Kansas for the National Championship that year. All I can remember is the life changing experience.
That experience shaped me for success in business. It is not about how many times you fail but how many times you get back up and try again. Sometimes what is best is not what appears to be grande. I choose a small school. We made history. My life forever changed. To all the people out there who want to win at the game of life I celebrate in your success with you.
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