March Madness

Today's a big day!  First day of the NCAA tournament and it's also St. Patrick's Day.  It's a big day for basketball, and a big day for the Mountaineers, as they start everything off at 12:15PM.  I"m really excited for the day, and I'm looking forward to getting back to Morgantown soon.  In the mean time, here's a little video to reflect on our season thus far...



Let's Goooooo Mountaineers!!!

WVU Final Four Rally Video

I wasn't sure time would permit me the opportunity to post this, and many have already seen this video, but as we come down to the final hours before our final four appearance with Duke, I thought it might be cool to allow folks to have one more look at what WVU Basketball has done since February 22.

I'm in California with my brother right now, and we were talking briefly last night about what it means to be a West Virginian. If you aren't from West Virginia, this video, and Coach Huggin's words at the very beginning might not have the depth of meaning that WVU alum and WV residents experience when when we hear those words.

We have a lot to celebrate in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia. As I sit in my brother's house to write this post, I can't help but think how difficult it is at times for West Virginians who are dispersed abroad. If I were not in California for a conference, I would probably be in Indy watching tonight's game. It's been a pretty phenomenal year, and I'm glad my brother will not have to watch tonight's game by himself! (As a tangent, we've been reppin' dub-V and wearing Gold & Blue everywhere we go out here! . . .& it ain't gonna stop!)

Enough about me and my brother for now, let's talk about West Virginia. Tonight, virtually every television in the state will be tuned into the game. Just like back in 1959 when virtually every radio in the state was tuned to listen to WVU playing Cal for a national championship. The games are being broadcast in workplaces because this is something special that all West Virginian's get excited about.

I'm hopeful for tonights game. It's been a pretty incredible season, and we just have 2 more games to win to make history.

Wherever you are watching the game, I hope you are able to soak up the fullness of this special time for Mountaineers everywhere "From Morgantown to Matewan and all points in between!"

Let's Goooooooooooooo Mountaineers!!!

West Virginia Community

In a night during which number one seeded Syracuse fell to the Butler Bulldogs, the mighty Mountaineers of West Virginia University persevered and prevailed over the Washington Huskies and is now the last remaining Big East Conference team in the NCAA tournament as they move toward the elite eight.
Across the mountain state (and across the entire Mountaineer Nation), family and friends gathered around televisions to watch the Mountaineers play one more game on the road to a national championship. I sat with about a dozen others in the home of my first college roommate, Jimmy Shreeves, and really enjoyed the night and the victory.
For people outside this state, it’s hard to understand what it means to be advancing in the tournament like this. West Virginia doesn’t have a professional sports team, and for many people in our state, we rally behind the Mountaineers with the tenacity and passion of fans of pro teams.
Our state is victim to a number of stereotypes, & maybe sometimes it feels like we get a lot of negative press and sand kicked in our face. But when something good happens in this state, we all share in a sense of pride. In a manner of speaking, we can stick out our chests and say, “That’s our team!” People here care about the team like they care about their own family. There’s a special sense of community we have that permeates this state. Together, we celebrate the fact that we are Mountaineers. Together we celebrate the successes and the positives that emerge from the Mountain State.
It may be hard to understand for people outside this state, but there is a sense of solidarity here that is hard to imagine. People who routinely could give a rip about basketball are celebrating the success of our team--not because of a newfound love of basketball, but because of a deep sense of pride in our wonderful home in the hills of Appalachia.
And for our growing mass of mountaineer fans abroad. Come visit this state. Visit Morgantown. Come see why we believe this place is special. And keep rooting on the Mountaineers!!!

The Season is Over, or is it?

Mrach Madness lost its appeal on March 23 when WVU lost at the buzzer to Texas. It seemed to revive a bit when George Mason upset UConn to the chants of "Go Kryptonite!" Somehow the season was over before it was over. I lost interest when the championship game was going to be UCLA and Florida. There just wasn't a huge appeal for me. And tonight's game had no excitement to it. 73-57 Florida won. It's their first National Championship in basketball, and I am sure there are many chanting, "It's great to be a Florida Gator" in Gainesville.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the celebration of an even greater victory. In less than two weeks, I will celebrate with millions around the world the greatest victory ever won. The powers of death, sin, and evil were decisively beaten by Jesus the Messiah through the cross. The lenten season comes to an end soon, but this magnificent victory will continue to be celebrated forever and ever.

So, let's celebrate!!!

Sweet Sixteen Bound

Sweet Sixteen Bound, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

I just finished watching WVU roll into the sweet sixteen for the second year in a row. Mike Gansey is one of the key players making it possible. He and Kevin Pittsnogle have been nominated as finalists for a number of post season awards. Gansey represented the United States last summer in the World University Games.
I really love watching these guys play basketball. It has been so fun these last four years watching Mountaineer basketball. It's a little different from actually being in the game, but these guys play good fundamental basketball so well, that it is a delight to watch.
Growing up, there were two sports that captivated me. Baseball and Basketball. Basketball became my pastime from about sixth grade on. I traded my cleats for Chuck Taylors and got in the game. I can remember riding my bike down to the city park in Parkersburg and playing basketball from the time I got out of school until just before dark (my dad wanted me home for dinner and so that meant being home before dark).
What was your sport of choice growing up? Was there a game that you could just spend the whole day playing? Watching these games and being a part of March Madness brings back a lot of magical memories for me. Basketball is one of the great loves of the Williams boys, starting with my dad's generation.
What's your game of choice?

Pittsnogled

WVU2.JPG, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Kevin Pittsnogle is one of the hottest players in college basketball this year. He has a good shot at going to the NBA, and he is from my state--West Virginia. As a result of his ability to shoot at will over most defenders (even when double teamed), people have given a name to this feat. It's called getting "Pittsnogled."
It has been exciting watching Kevin and the rest of this year's WVU basketball team play one of the toughest schedules in the country, and maintain a top twenty five ranking throughout the season.
Be sure to watch as much march madness as you can--it only comes once a year. And cheer on the Mountaineers of West Virginia University. They are a great group of guys, and have won the hearts and loyal support of their campus, community, and state.
Of course I have filled out brackets for March Madness, and of course, I pick WVU to win it all--why not? Have you filled out a bracket? If so, who are your picks?