Three years ago, when I was looking at schools, my family made the three-hour drive to Storrs, Conn., to visit the University of Connecticut. As a New England boy, I had my moments where I almost stayed in the area and attended UConn.
But, when push came to shove, I decided to go for the better education and charge my parents an extra 20 grand per year to attend AU.
It's weeks like this where I regret it. Weeks when the adrenaline pumping around Storrs is incredible. Weeks when the excitement of dual NCAA basketball championships is in the air.
This excitement is something we will never feel on this campus. While I love our Northwest D.C. nesting area, I can't help but yearn for the athletic excitement at my safety school.
Since it's unrealistic to expect an NCAA title from a small school like AU, I've turned my attention to a more reachable goal, like dual Patriot League championships and trips to the NCAA tournament.
This year we came close, with both the men and women having chances in the last minute of the PL finals. However, both our teams came up short, and we once again entered a disappointing off-season.
What would such a championship have meant to AU? In the short run, the effect wouldn't have meant a lot. Bender would not be Andres Rodriguez or Chanel Spriggs court.
However, the long-term effects would be monstrous. Recruits would flock to AU, and we'd have a leg up on Patriot League foes.
Maybe we would have our own Diana Taurasi and Emeka Okafor to rally around instead of the most household names on our campus, Ben Ladner and Trenita. Hopefully, one day our athletes will be the celebrities, not Ladner and a TDR worker.
As I watched the NCAA Championships last week, I rooted for both UConn teams to win, and not just because I picked them in my pools. I respect both coaches, Jim Calhoun and Geno Auriemma, for transforming two programs into dynasties.
I love the superstars, Taurasi and Okafor, the role players, Ben Gordon and Ann Strother, and the way the Huskies exemplify a consummate team.
And, as cheesy as the "One Shining Moment" theme song is, as I watched CBS highlights of the sheer joy exuded by both UConn teams, I couldn't help but wish for that one second when I could experience that joy.
I only hope that in my final two years here, this campus can experience similar jubilation. Hopefully, we can come together at Bender Arena and cheer our Eagles in a PL final.
And when that game's over, hopefully we can cheer on our Lady Eagles to victory in their PL final.
Any sports fan loves to see history made. Just like when Mark McGwire hit 62 and Tracy McGrady went for 62 in one night, immortality is special. Last week, the UConn men and women took a giant step toward immortality as they accomplished something previously unaccomplished.
They both began the year No. 1, and when the final polls came out Monday, both found themselves ending the year where they began.
As for the frosty relationship between Calhoun and Auriemma, there was nothing but hugs when the teams returned to Storrs late last week. Nothing but smiles during the dual parade and nothing but a handshake for the masses of Husky fans to rejoice in.
This year it is the small state stuck between New York City and Boston. Maybe next year it will be the small university in Northwest D.C. forever seen as Georgetown's little brother.
For at the outset of the year, no one really thought both teams would win the title. And at the end of the year, Husky students are glad they're in Storrs, because right now, there's no better college campus in the country.
Well, no better campus unless you have hope for the future, which Taurasi, Okafor, Calhoun and company have given every college basketball fan in the country.
