When Michigan State was awarded a five seed in the NCAA tournament one week ago, I rejoiced in knowing that I would soon be on my way to a free trip to Denver Colo. What I didn't know was that Denver would be only the beginning...
Arriving on Tuesday afternoon I quickly explored downtown Denver only to discover that it is one of the more stunning and cleaner cities I have ever set foot in. With a number of quality dine in restaurants and tasteful bars that seemed to extend to the base of the rocky mountains themselves, I had no desire to leave this city anytime soon. After a convincing win over Temple University in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday, I found myself enjoying three more days in the beautiful mile high city of Denver.
After celebrating the victory in typical Spartan fashion Thursday night, I used Friday to recover while indulging myself in as much college basketball as humanly possible. By the time Saturday night rolled around it was now clearer than ever that although this wonderful week in Denver was about to end, another trip may lay on the horizon.As I sat court side listening to the higher notes from my trumpet ring throughout the Pepsi Center during the men's basketball game against Pitt, I soon realized that this could perhaps be the last time I play my horn as a member of the Spartan Brass. Soaking in the atmosphere, I decided that win or lose these past four years in the Spartan Brass were four very special years that I wouldn't trade for anything.
With The Spartans leading just 30-28 at halftime, the outcome of this game was very much up in the air. With a few distraught Notre Dame fans utterly bitter over their defeat to Washington State seated behind me, it wasn't easy to hold my tongue as they heavily rooted for fellow Big East conference member Pittsburgh. But after a close and brutal game between two fantastic teams, I found myself jumping into the air and celebrating before grabbing my trumpet to play the MSU fight song as the Spartans relished the victory.
The bus ride back to the hotel was full of nothing but spartan pride and victory. Singing the fight song and chanting "Sweet 16!", as Spartans, we were truly on cloud nine.
Once at the hotel I quickly changed and ran to the hotel lobby in order to greet the team as they arrived. After participating in countless high fives with fellow band members, it hit me right about the time I found myself shaking hands with team captain Travis Walton...so I shouted to big man Idong Ibok as he walked up along the fans in front of me.
"Houston I.D.! You're going to Houston!..."
...and I'll see you there...
I can only hope that Houston lives up the fun I had in Denver this past week.
