I don't want this in any way to sound like a hallmark movie, but as we are on the Den arguing about BCS rankings and bickering about recruiting, we never should forget about the pure joy of going to a bowl game and representing the school and the state. Those of us who are old enough to remember the pre-Barry days (I don't even want to think about the Morton era!)know that just going to ANY bowl game was cause for much celebrating and drinking(although every occasion in Madison good or bad was accompanied by that). I know there will be disappointment if we don't go to the right or more prestigious bowl game and I get that, but a game from last night gave me some fresh perspective.
My daughter goes to Vanderbilt and plays with the marching band, so naturally I have attended many a game over the years, most of the time leaving disappointed. They seemed to be headed for another losing season, and that potentially could have led to Coach Mason's dismissal (This is the SEC you know). They trounced Ole Miss last week to set up bowl eligibility with a home win over rival Tennessee.(They feel about UT the way we feel about the Goofs). Long story short, they rallied in the 4th quarter to win, and touched off the most heart warming celebration I have seen in forever. The joy and excitement on the coaches, players, fans, and yes, my daughter's marching band was priceless. This could be their only opportunity in their careers to go to a bowl, and like I said, gave me some new perspective. I know that we on the den will still bicker, call each other names, and argue our asses off about our fan perspective of what's actually going on, but lets never forget about what these types of things mean to the participants.
ON WISCONSIN! And wherever we end up after the Big 10 championship, I will be cheering my ass off for Bucky. (And the Dores!, because my kid gets to go to the bowl game too!)
My daughter goes to Vanderbilt and plays with the marching band, so naturally I have attended many a game over the years, most of the time leaving disappointed. They seemed to be headed for another losing season, and that potentially could have led to Coach Mason's dismissal (This is the SEC you know). They trounced Ole Miss last week to set up bowl eligibility with a home win over rival Tennessee.(They feel about UT the way we feel about the Goofs). Long story short, they rallied in the 4th quarter to win, and touched off the most heart warming celebration I have seen in forever. The joy and excitement on the coaches, players, fans, and yes, my daughter's marching band was priceless. This could be their only opportunity in their careers to go to a bowl, and like I said, gave me some new perspective. I know that we on the den will still bicker, call each other names, and argue our asses off about our fan perspective of what's actually going on, but lets never forget about what these types of things mean to the participants.
ON WISCONSIN! And wherever we end up after the Big 10 championship, I will be cheering my ass off for Bucky. (And the Dores!, because my kid gets to go to the bowl game too!)
