Joey's Blog

It was 1985.

The Tigers of Memphis State University had taken the city by storm, and were in the Final Four.  That was exciting.  What was maybe more exciting was how they got there.  Several last second wins by a bucket.  In overtime.  Pulling our nerves a country mile, and twangin' on them like an acoustical guitar.

Everybody was a fan.  White folk.  Black folk.  Rich folk.  Poor folk.  Us Raleigh-Egypt boys.  Them Christian Brothers guys.  Everybody.

I knew then and there I didn't want to go to Harvard, or Ole Miss, or anywhere else to learn how to be an adult.

I wanted to go to Memphis.

I'm glad I did.

And now, I get to re-live the magic.  Every moment.  Wearing my Memphis blue and gray.  Planning a big party for Saturday.

And do you wanna know whats better about this time around?  We've already won.

Oh sure, it would be great to take that prized jewel of 'being number one'.  And honestly, even for us fans, the odds are against us.  It's the NCAA tourney.  Anything can happen.  And Saturday just may be our last game.

But this time around, I don't care.  I'm not sweating blood with every bucket.  I'm not moments away from a heart-attack with every questionable call.  Call it maturity (or idiocy), but I'm already happy.

These guys have made us all winners.  Great national press.  Respect.  We say we don't have it, but we really do.  And LOTS of press!

We're there.  We're one of the best.  We held the NUMBER ONE spot for weeks!

We've had a fun ride.

Of coures, I want it to last....till Monday...when we win.

But if we don't?

We already have.