MARCH MADNESS 2016: BALLIN’ IN DES MOINES
Four years ago today (March 12, 2016), the Stony Brook University men’s basketball team clinched a bid to the NCAA men’s basketball championship for the first time in school history.
It was one of the most intense basketball games I’ve ever seen. The top-seeded Seawolves overcame a 15-point deficit in the second half to defeat #3 Vermont (80-74) and become the America East Conference champions.
Stony Brook’s Island Federal Credit Union Arena was packed. And it was loud! As a longtime fan of the program, storming the court at the buzzer was one of the greatest and proudest moments.
My family has been a Stony Brook family since 2008. Between me and my two sisters we have five degrees. Nicole was captain of the dance team and I was president of the marching band; there was no question we were going to cheer on the Seawolves at the NCAA Tournament.
On March 17, 2016 my dad, sister Stephanie, and I traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to watch Stony Brook (13) take on the Kentucky Wildcats (4) in Wells Fargo Arena. Although the outcome of the game wasn’t what we hoped for (UK defeated SBU 85-57), the whole March Madness experience was one I’ll never forget.
Between the pep rallies, fan zones, riding in a rickshaw downtown, the atmosphere around the stadium (it was also St. Patrick’s Day), and cheering our hearts out at the game, it was special.
That’s what March Madness is. Special. Whether you’re at the games or watching from home, hoping your bracket doesn’t get busted or watching for fun, the fan experience is full of highs and lows and so many emotions. It’s something I and so many people look forward to.
Unfortunately, with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), this year’s NCAA basketball tournament has been canceled. It’s the first time the tournament will not be played since 1939, according to ESPN.
While this is devastating news and out of our control, I’m lucky to be able to reminisce on this memory while I wait for 2021.
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