The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Spring is within smelling distance (for non-Midwesterners), summer break is soon to follow, and just about every sport season is at the peak of optimism. NFL free agency has Viking fans dreaming of September, and Packer fans cursing out Ted Thompson. NBA playoff races are heating up, (see what I did there?) opening day for baseball fans is less than a week away, and hockey... well I'm not going to pretend to care about hockey.

Oh... and MARCH MADNESS.

Seriously, for sport fans, can you think of a better time of year? Fans are brimming with optimism about the potential for their college basketball team, tournament bracket, their NFL free agent additions, and the sights and sounds of a baseball game under the lights.

Play on, playas.

With the first and most exciting weekend of the NCAA tournament coming to an end today, and everyones' brackets being busted thanks to La Salle, FGCU, and Wichita State, we can all forget the money wasted and start rooting for the underdogs. I would love to know how many Wikipedia page views has Florida Gulf Coast University gained since beating Georgetown. I can't say I haven't considered transferring there.

Imagine how horrible the month of March would be without the magic that is the NCAA tournament. Mixtures of snow, sleet, and rain cover the soggy brown grass coupled with mid terms would have students on suicide watch. Luckily this year we all have the new JT album to boost our spirits. But other years, I can't imagine how people would survive without March Madness.

I know I mentioned how there is baseball to look forward to, and NFL free agency, and the NBA to watch, but the point is that March Madness is what makes all the other things so exciting. The effect the tournament has when supplemented by all the other sporting events is what makes this time of year so sacred. Let me paint this picture for you, without the tournament, there is a 75% chance that the top sports story would be that Brett Favre was spotted mowing his lawn with a football in his lap, inferring that he is considering a(nother) comeback. Gag me..

So here's to you March Madness, your existence amplifies the excitement for every other pro sport period, and you are about the only thing that the NCAA has done right.

Mazel Tov!