March 26, 2011
It has been well documented that I am a fan of the University of North Carolina Tarheels. Of the 25 sports things to do before I die, 6 of them have to do with UNC. One item on this list is “Be present when UNC wins the NCAA Basketball Tourney.” Accomplishing this item will be one of the most difficult things to do because so much is out of my control: getting an impossible ticket, Carolina winning all the games to get to the final game, pulling it out in the end, etc. But I got a close second last weekend.
My best friend Lydia works in corporate land and is good at what she does. As acknowledgement for being one of the top sales people in the state, her company gave her tickets to first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, being held in Charlotte, NC. For the first round, she took her husband and saw Carolina play (and win) against Long Island State on Friday. As one of the biggest UNC fans she knows, she invited me to see Sunday’s game against Washington and I immediately agreed, completely ignoring the fact that I was supposed to pick Alex up from the airport on Sunday. Other arrangements could be made-this was UNC in the NCAA Tourney!
Now, that would be enough. If the tickets were in the nosebleeds and I had to pay significant money to get them, I would still be excited. But these seats were not in the rafters. These babies were third row, center court (behind the media, not behind the players’ benches). When the camera panned the length of the court following the action, if I threw my arms up or stood up, I was on TV. Clark Kellogg and Jim Nantz were right there.
Apparently the “Haves” really do have it better than the “Have Nots.” We had our own special bathroom area-I never had to wait in line. The seats were huge, padded and comfortable, and with copious leg room. When someone passed by, they could literally walk past without you standing up or getting toes stepped on.
The trip down Sunday morning went smoothly, we drove into downtown Charlotte with very little traffic, found affordable parking right across from the Time Warner Cable Arena and had plenty of time to settle into our seats before the game. From the start of the game, it was quickly seen that it wasn’t going to be easy. Washington was aggressive and seemingly made every shot they put up. We lacked offensive rebounds and a couple of our players were having off games.
At halftime Washington was up 45-44; it had been tight all first half and continued to be close throughout the second. During the entire game, the atmosphere in the arena had been electric-no “wine and cheese” crowd here. Washington fans, whose home section was just to our left, were very loud and energetic. Compounded with the large contingent of Duke fans also present awaiting the second game, Carolina didn’t necessarily have the home field advantage in an arena practically in our own backyard.
I’ve never been more into a game in my life. I was light headed from screaming, I was visibly sweating under my arms, and I had a nervous knot in my stomach for the last few minutes of the game. At a certain point, I had to apologize to the poor woman next to me as I’m sure she was deaf by the constant yelling and a bit scared by the gibberish coming out of my mouth. We took it down to the wire but pulled it out in the end.
My seats at the UNC Game
Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg before the game
Roy after the win
I had seen UNC win at a NCAA Tournament game, sending them to the Sweet 16 in fabulous Newark, New Jersey, the murder capital of the Northeast. As of today, they’re in the Elite 8, soundly taking care of Marquette last night.
We stayed for the next game, which was Duke v. Michigan. Lydia is an Ohio State fan so as such, was anti-Michigan. As Duke is the Montagues to UNC’s Capulets (or the Hatfields to our McCoys since we ARE in the South), I was cheering against Duke. So I’m sure our cheers just canceled each other out. Most UNC fans stayed to cheer against Duke. Some didn’t-the people next to me were UNC fans but cheered for Duke out of ACC loyalty, which I get. I’m an ACC loyalist but I draw the line at Duke. But the atmosphere was nowhere near what it was for the first game. Michigan fans showed up in fine form but I think the Washington fans were more engaged. I personally was exhausted and mostly just sat and watched the game, which is what it seemed most others were doing. I didn’t really get into the game until the final minutes when Michigan started to give Duke some serious trouble.
Unfortunately, DOOK is back in Durham tonight, having lost in the Sweet 16 against Arizona Thursday. Sad.
It was a day I will tell my children about. The only thing that could have made it any better would be if Duke had lost but I’ll take it just as it is.
I don’t know if I can go back to the nosebleeds after this.
What’s the best “score” you’ve gotten? Front row seats at a concert? Upgrade to First Class? VIP Penthouse in Vegas?
Usually people try to sneak down to the lower seats before the game to get a good portrait shot. You actually had to sneak up from where your seats are, ha ha. Looks and sounds like an amazing experience!
I agree with you about having a conference loyalty but only to an extent. I will never cheer for Michigan. And it’s really hard to root for any other Big 10 team… or is it Big 12 now?
What do you think about UNC’s chances now? I just watched a very good Butler v. Florida game.
I can’t keep up with the conferences and continuously adding more teams. I prefer playing Kentucky rather than Ohio State-I watched that game last night. Sorry about your Buckeyes. And DUDE, what is up with Tressel?
I don’t know. When they recruited Terrell Pryor, every one said he was going to be the recruit to catapult OSU into the speedy 21st century stratosphere. Now, nearly four seasons later, his legacy may be as the player who took OSU to the dungeons.
I’m so not a sports person, but can tell how great this must have been to experience! Congrats!
The best score I’ve ever gotten would have been at The Bridge School concert 2 years ago. We were out on the lawn, but got tickets to move up into the seats and were 10 rows away from the stage. But I think you still win.
That’s something I’d like. To have kinda crappy tickets and then someone moves me up, or to get an upgrade on a plane. That would be awesome.
Sounds like a once in a lifetime experience for you! I went to Florida State and one year I got tickets to the National Championship game when they were playing (and won!). So I can totally relate to your excitement. What a great night!
I’m so jealous! That’s a score and a half!
I only hope the Tarheels aren’t playing the Spartans when that fateful championship goes down…cause I would have to root against your dream.
Man, how awesome. I love March Madness and think its pretty cool that you got to go. Envy!!!
I won’t take it personally. Since we won against Michigan State in 2009 for the Nat’l Championship, it’s fair to lose to you too.
You were right, I would love this. You are also right, that I am completely and utterly jealous. I almost got to go to the Denver rounds, but alas, it wasn’t in the cards for me.
I can’t really think of a “biggest score” I’ve had, since anything really good I’ve gotten ticket-wise, I had to pay for.
But maybe I’ll have something awesome as a win some day…
You were so close! My favorite part about shows is when you get to your seats (or where you’re standing) and realize what a fabulous spot you have. I’ve been lucky through the years to get that feeling a lot!! It makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable.
Yeah, I’d love to score some front row tix to a concert. This isn’t a popular choice but my dream would be to have front row for Dave Matthews-that would truly be a dream come true. (Ok, now you can make fun of my taste in music)
What a perfect day! Spending it with one of my best friends, watching UNC win, AND Michigan lose!?! Now, that’s a day that will live in my memory forever and one I will definitely tell my kids about! Great post, Girl.
And I have you to thank! I’m seeing a pattern-You tend to be a regular co-star in my adventures!
How did I miss not commenting on this post? Well, I suppose it’s not much consolation now but sorry for the result of this weekend’s game. I am obviously jealous of the fact that you went to the game. Now that we’re down to the Final Four and only two more days of basketball this year, I’m resigned to the fact that I won’t be crossing this one off the list. I may have to find a replacement. Anyway, looks like you had a blast!
I’m fine with the outcome actually. Of course it would have been nice to have made it to the final four but, seeing where we were in January and the fact that we made it to the Elite Eight? That’s pretty good. We lost against a good Kentucky team and actually didn’t even play badly in that game, we stuck through to the end, they just made EVERY shot! So nothing to be ashamed about there. And, best of all, we outlasted DOOK, a #1 seed that was SUPPOSED to be better than that.
I’m not much of a sports fan, but I think having seats that close would definitely be more fun. I don’t think I’ve had seats that close in any professional games I’ve been to, but I did get a front row view at a concert I went to. I misread the ticket and showed up an hour early. I was about the eighth person in line so I got to stand anywhere I wanted. It was great.
I’m glad you had a great time.
Yeah, I’ve never actually scored a front row ticket to a concert but I have gotten to a place early and elbowed my way towards the front. I was only 4 people back from Salt-N-Pepa and MC Hammer. Be jealous!
That is AMAZING! You must have felt like when when I was 13 rows from the floor at the Prince concert here in Raleigh
LOL. Congrats on the great seats and the adventure.