My First NCAA Tourney Experience

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With the move to Jacksonville three months ago I knew this would be a host city for some first and second round action. I never dreamed for one I would be able to attend and two I never dreamed how much of an effect it would have on me. Living in Columbus, Ohio I enjoyed the occasional Buckeye basketball game but it was never something that I looked forward to, just something to do on a cold day or night. All of that has changed now after this experience.

From taking in the free practice on Thursday when they opened the arena for fans to watch all eight teams practice 40 minutes each to the games I was able to attend on Friday night (Duke vs Arkansas Pine Bluff, Louisville vs Cal) and then the extra topping of once again taking in the action today (Cornell vs Wisconsin, Duke vs Cal) all I can say is this has left a lasting impression on me that will not fade any time soon.

Quick storyline. I was not sure if I could afford a ticket to today's action but I was not gonna just sit in my recliner and watch on television when the action was fifteen to twenty minutes away so I pulled together my budget of cash and set out to see if I could score my way in from someone other then a scalper. In the rain I walked the parking lots, away from the hectic pace in front of the entrance holding out my finger reflecting how many tickets I needed. A family of three walks by me a good quarter mile from the arena and asks me if I was interested in seeing the games (of course they should have known, I was wearing Duke apparel ). Of course I was I said, so he said follow me.

A few minutes later ticket in hand for $25 less then face value for both games lower lever. Oh yeah on the aisle.

What a weekend. The only other thing I can add to this experience is how great it is to be in a crowd of pure and true College Basketball fans. Count me in now as one for sure. Sold.