The Joyful Reminders of Sport Abound This Week…

We have a lot of issues on this big blue marble we call home, whether they are global or personal in scope. However as we turn to spring today we have gotten constant reminders of the joy sports and live, communal shared experiences can bring and why, in challenging times thy are more important than ever.

We saw it in the actions of the espresso laden Italian baseball team in the World Baseball Classic and the emotions of Paralympians. We saw how a WBC  title meant more to Venezuelans whether they were athletes or casual fans than probably any other participating country this year.

Just yesterday we had the unbridled joy ( click on all the links) of the young people calling High Point’s surprise March Madness upset, VCU coach Phil Martelli Jr., thanking the media for travelling to see his athletes pull off an upset, while his legendary dad cried for joy after the game. We had FDU women’s coach Stephanie Gaitley getting surprised on her flight to the Knights March Madness game, and we had the thoughtful Howard coach Kenny Blakeney explaining why his Bison winning in the first round is inspirational to a next generation of young people. Add in the Hofstra players who asked to take their name plates after they left their press conference stage,  the explanation behind a High Point players number and what do you find? Joy.

Now of course not every moment brings us this. The pressure on those on the big stage expected to succeed can seem to be a drain, and sometimes it doesn’t come across as fun. I have written about the reminder of joy several times, including here, and my old friend and longtime coach Brendan Suhr always said the same thing, and was surprised at how little some of the greatest professional athletes appeared to enjoy what they were doing.

But we have to find joy, the escape, and be in the moment, even if it from afar.  I was reminded of that need on my Facebook timeline today, as it is, sadly, 34 years ago today that my alma mater Fordham made the Big Dance for the most recent time, losing to a talent laden UMass in the first round on a Friday night in Worcester. However one of my fondest memories of that night was forward Fred Herzog as we left the Rose Hill campus on the way to Worcester, when he turned to writer Mike Lupica and said.

 “I just can’t stop smiling.”

Now we will get out of the first round of March Madness, the power schools will probably push all the Mid Majors out, MLB Opening Day will come and go and we go back to the grind.

Don’t. Store in your device, in your mind, in your heart, this past week of joy for sport. It does happen most days and it’s why we love what we do.

Just ask those High Point announcers.

Time of your life, kid…Make us all feel like them. Enjoy the moments, we need em.