As the 101 Things to Do Before You Die list was originally created by someone else, I often have additions, changes, and other edits; this list is very much a living, breathing entity. The one thing that I’ve long felt was missing from the list was a plethora of sports related items I’d like to accomplish before I die.
The only sporty item on the original list was “#48: Be Present When Your Team Wins the World Cup.” As I couldn’t care less about soccer, I long ago changed this item to: “Be Present When UNC Wins the National Championship, Redskins Win the Super Bowl, or Hurricanes Win the Stanley Cup.” And really, there is so much more than that I’d like to accomplish.
You see, for a girl, I perhaps like sports a little more than you would think. Every morning I listen to Sports Center while I get ready. I played softball from age 8-22, including collegiate, some years playing 10 months out of 12. I’m a diehard Tarheels fan and have literally gotten into screaming-type arguments with people who don’t feel the same warm and fuzzies about UNC that I do. I enjoy golf and tennis, and have even played lacrosse and field hockey for a little while. My idea of a great Sunday is to head out to Flying Saucer to catch a football game.
I’ve posted a list Sports Illustrated created about things you should do before you graduate college and there are a lot of sports related things on that list. But it got me thinking-I should create a whole separate “Sports Things to Do Before You Die” list of my own. Here’s what I’ve got so far:
- Be present when UNC wins the NCAA Basketball Tourney. (I’ve attended a second round, NCAA Tourney game where UNC won)
- Be present when the Washington Redskins win the Superbowl.
- Be present when the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup.
- Attend a UNC v. Duke basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium (and UNC wins)
- Attend a Duke v. UNC basketball game at Dean Smith Center (and UNC wins-I’ve been to a Duke/UNC game at the Dean Smith Center but UNC lost)
- Attend a UNC v. NCSU basketball game (and UNC wins) DONE 1/29/11
- Attend a UNC v. NCSU football game (and UNC wins – I went to my first UNC/NCSU football game this past November but we lost)
- Attend the ACC Tourney (and UNC wins-notice a pattern yet?)
- Attend a Ohio State v. Michigan football game (at the Horseshoe)
- Attend a Notre Dame football game (at Notre Dame Stadium-I’ve attended a ND v. UNC Football game at Kenan and UNC actually won, so that’s cool…but not the point)
- Attend a baseball game at Fenway Park
- Attend a baseball game at Wrigley Field
- Attend a World Series game
- Attend a Yankees v. Red Sox baseball game
- Attend a Redskins v. Cowboys football game
- Attend a Carolina Panthers football game
- Attend a Pittsburgh Steelers football game
- Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules)
- Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules)
- Attend a polo match
- Attend the US Open – Golf (maybe the next time it’s here at Pinehurst?)
- Attend the Winter Olympics
- Attend the Summer Olympics
- Attend the Kentucky Derby
- Attend the NHL Winter Classic
What additions do you have for the list? What’s on YOUR Sports Things to Do Before You Die list?
I attended the past Winter Olympics in Vancouver with my sister and it definitely was one of the best experiences of my life. The atmosphere was crazy! (Especially being a Canadian during the Olympics in Vancouver.) It is a must!
I missed my opportunity when the Summer Olympics were in Atlanta. Only 5 hours away and there were plenty of tickets. Oh well, I’ll just have to fly to an exotic location instead!
Attend the Masters would have been on my list had I not already accomplished it 2 years ago! The difficulty with adding the caveat of “and my team wins” is that you have no control over it. Certainly I would love to attend the World Series and have the Orioles be in it and win (this seems unlikely) or see the Terps win the National Championship, but I can’t control that part.
I’m not big into Golf, although I can understand that some things are just big sports things that you need to go to. And while it would still be cool just to go the Super Bowl, having my Skins in it and winning is just that much more awesomer.
Hii Jessica,
I bumped in to your site… I made my own blog today with my list, I was working on it for a long time… I think it’s amazing what you did so far and I hope some day I will have as many stories to tell like yours…
Please check out my list as well
I saw some things on my list that i will definitely add on mine…
Good luck completing your list,
T
I love this list!! Not going to lie, I am a huge Duke fan. I actually got to play against Duke at Cameron Indoor during college and it was AMAZING!!! I would go back in a heartbeat.
I won’t ban you from the blog just b/c you are a Duke fan…although I’m going to look at you a little more warily now. Playing at Cameron WAS truly amazing, I bet. Awesome that you had that experience.
Hi Jessica,
I think you should reconsider your soccer bucket list goal. Even if it isn’t the World Cup, an international soccer game is an experience unlike any other. The fans are crazy, and the atmosphere is more exciting than any other sport I have ever seen!
Charlotte has been able to host 2 international games in the past few years (you can read about the most recent one on my blog http://ashleighblue.wordpress.com/) but it is DEFINITELY worthwhile!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I’ve had several soccer fans ask me to reconsider and I guess if for the experience alone, I should try it out. Glad to hear that I have another “bucket lister” right down the road.
I hope number 2 never happens.
-Cowboys Fan
Gresh
http://hearpreneur.com