This is why you're a fan

[centercourt400s]

Because on a day in early March your team flew 500 miles in bad weather to play a conference rival on the road with tournament implications at risk.

Because while the season has had disappointments you knew that the competition on display would be captivating.

Because you wanted to watch another homecoming game for your team's best player and he surprised you with a new look and then backed up his flash with a great performance.

Not because of silly arguments about a third string center's playing time.

Not to debate which of the team's vital freshman is the worst defender.

Not to wring your hands and cry after a loss about how you wasted money on tournament tickets.

But because when the team needed a stop, someone was there to block a shot.

Because a freshman reserve was called on for extra duty and played his heart out.

Because a big man, derided much of the year for any number of perceived failings, made big plays down the stretch.

Because a senior, who has improved every year and has made the transition from enigma to solid contributor, hit a big shot and played great defense.

Because your best player again made his best play when the team needed it most, and looked as calm as could be while doing it.

Because your team won, on the road, in a hostile environment, against a nationally ranked opponent, on a cold night in March.

You're a fan because you look forward to cheering for your seniors on their day: for a big man who has overcome personal issues; for a player who has persevered and even thrived despite frustrating limitations; for the aforementioned enigma turned solid contributor; for the tough guy who learned to shoot and to provide a solid unshakable presence; and for the one who barely saw the court but never lost his enthusiasm and found other ways to contribute with his eyes, his brain and his emotion.

You're a fan because the team reminded you tonight that anything can happen in March, as each game becomes crucial, and every play can make or break a game and a team. You're a fan because of the ups and downs, not despite them. You're a fan because the effort of the team is unquestionable and the team's management is above reproach.

You're a fan because of Georgetown basketball past and present, because the journey is as important as the destination and because regardless of the outcome, you do enjoy the ride.

[HoyaChris]

Brilliant post.

[FrazierFanatic]

Hoya Saxa.

[blueandgray]

Wow!

[hoyalove4ever]

Yes, yes, & yes.

[FHillsNYHoya]

Thank you, centercourt - I said something much more quickly and less eloquently than you did to my 14 year-old daughter this morning (by the time I got home last night she was in bed, and because she wanted to watch the game with me I re-watched most of it this morning). That game was a ride, alright.

Of course, being 14, the first thing she said when we started watching was "What did DSR do to his hair?"

[hoyainspirit]

That post, combined with FHills', brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

Amen

[Deleted]

Mar 4, 2015 9:26:36 GMT -5 FHillsNYHoya said:

Thank you, centercourt - I said something much more quickly and less eloquently than you did to my 14 year-old daughter this morning (by the time I got home last night she was in bed, and because she wanted to watch the game with me I re-watched most of it this morning). That game was a ride, alright.

Of course, being 14, the first thing she said when we started watching was "What did DSR do to his hair?"

I've been a fan for 35 years, and that's the first thing I was asking too.

Hoya Saxa.

[MEGAFAN]

Here, here! What a great post. And yes, THIS is why we're fans.

And while we're at it, make sure to get your non-stop one-way express tickets to MEGAFANLAND! ALL ABOARD!!!

#WeAreGeorgetown
#HoyaSaxa

[Elvado]

Mar 4, 2015 0:32:11 GMT -5 centercourt400s said:

Because on a day in early March your team flew 500 miles in bad weather to play a conference rival on the road with tournament implications at risk.

Because while the season has had disappointments you knew that the competition on display would be captivating.

Because you wanted to watch another homecoming game for your team's best player and he surprised you with a new look and then backed up his flash with a great performance.

Not because of silly arguments about a third string center's playing time.

Not to debate which of the team's vital freshman is the worst defender.

Not to wring your hands and cry after a loss about how you wasted money on tournament tickets.

But because when the team needed a stop, someone was there to block a shot.

Because a freshman reserve was called on for extra duty and played his heart out.

Because a big man, derided much of the year for any number of perceived failings, made big plays down the stretch.

Because a senior, who has improved every year and has made the transition from enigma to solid contributor, hit a big shot and played great defense.

Because your best player again made his best play when the team needed it most, and looked as calm as could be while doing it.

Because your team won, on the road, in a hostile environment, against a nationally ranked opponent, on a cold night in March.

You're a fan because you look forward to cheering for your seniors on their day: for a big man who has overcome personal issues; for a player who has persevered and even thrived despite frustrating limitations; for the aforementioned enigma turned solid contributor; for the tough guy who learned to shoot and to provide a solid unshakable presence; and for the one who barely saw the court but never lost his enthusiasm and found other ways to contribute with his eyes, his brain and his emotion.

You're a fan because the team reminded you tonight that anything can happen in March, as each game becomes crucial, and every play can make or break a game and a team. You're a fan because of the ups and downs, not despite them. You're a fan because the effort of the team is unquestionable and the team's management is above reproach.

You're a fan because of Georgetown basketball past and present, because the journey is as important as the destination and because regardless of the outcome, you do enjoy the ride.

Wow. Just wow.

35 years of my life summed up in those words.

Well done.

[drquigley]

Someone once said we love sports because watching a game is like reading a book while it is being written. This post says the same thing only better.

[WilsonBlvdHoya]

Best post of the season by far! Kudos!

[centercourt400s]

Thanks. This is what happens when it's 1am and you're battling jet lag and you're still pumped up from a big Hoyas win  

[sleepy]

"Just When I Thought I Was Out, They Drag me back in again"

For forty plus years is it ever going to end.

[johnnysnowplow]

I got the chills reading this post

[Filo]

Awesome post. Always amazed at how I -- a middle-aged man with a crazily busy life -- get so invested in these Hoyas year after year. There is nothing that is even a close second in the sports world for me.

[Big Dog]

Mar 4, 2015 0:32:11 GMT -5 centercourt400s said:

Because on a day in early March your team flew 500 miles in bad weather to play a conference rival on the road with tournament implications at risk.

Because while the season has had disappointments you knew that the competition on display would be captivating.

Because you wanted to watch another homecoming game for your team's best player and he surprised you with a new look and then backed up his flash with a great performance.

Not because of silly arguments about a third string center's playing time.

Not to debate which of the team's vital freshman is the worst defender.

Not to wring your hands and cry after a loss about how you wasted money on tournament tickets.

But because when the team needed a stop, someone was there to block a shot.

Because a freshman reserve was called on for extra duty and played his heart out.

Because a big man, derided much of the year for any number of perceived failings, made big plays down the stretch.

Because a senior, who has improved every year and has made the transition from enigma to solid contributor, hit a big shot and played great defense.

Because your best player again made his best play when the team needed it most, and looked as calm as could be while doing it.

Because your team won, on the road, in a hostile environment, against a nationally ranked opponent, on a cold night in March.

You're a fan because you look forward to cheering for your seniors on their day: for a big man who has overcome personal issues; for a player who has persevered and even thrived despite frustrating limitations; for the aforementioned enigma turned solid contributor; for the tough guy who learned to shoot and to provide a solid unshakable presence; and for the one who barely saw the court but never lost his enthusiasm and found other ways to contribute with his eyes, his brain and his emotion.

You're a fan because the team reminded you tonight that anything can happen in March, as each game becomes crucial, and every play can make or break a game and a team. You're a fan because of the ups and downs, not despite them. You're a fan because the effort of the team is unquestionable and the team's management is above reproach.

You're a fan because of Georgetown basketball past and present, because the journey is as important as the destination and because regardless of the outcome, you do enjoy the ride.

Because you were accepted Early Action and didn't get in to your other top choices, so the decision where to enroll was easy.

Because Georgetown only has one men's basketball team.

Because you only attended one college.

You're a fan because you had no other choice.

(Just kidding, Filo. Great post.)