Are you a March Madness (Fan)atic?
This time of the year is always a special time for me. It’s the time of the year when the best in college basketball compete at the end of the season to see who is going to be crowned the champion. The man that raised me, my Pops, Nurlin Tarrant played on the first historically black college team to win a national collegiate basketball title. In the 1956 — 57 season the Tennessee A&I State Tigers basketball team (now called Tennessee State University) won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) men’s collegiate basketball championship. They were coached by John McLendon, the former mentee of the man who invented basketball, Dr. James Naismith. So at this time of the year, I might just say, I am a college basketball (fan)atic.
If you are a March Madness enthusiast you probably are aware of these dates in March:
- Selection Sunday: March 12
- First Four: March 14–15
- First round: March 16–17
- Second round: March 18–19
- Sweet 16: March 23–24
- Elite Eight: March 25–26
- Final Four: April 1
- NCAA Women’s championship: April 2nd
- NCAA Men’s championship: April 3rd
I literally have friends and family members who treat the days during March Madness as holidays. They will actually take days off from work to make sure they can plop in front of their big-screen TVs and take in as many games as possible. By definition, March Madness is the annual college basketball tournament held by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It is a single-elimination tournament of 68 teams that compete in seven rounds for the national championship. The tournament is held in March and features some of the most talented players in the country. But why do they really call it March Madness? Is it because all the fans watching college basketball during the month of March will inevitably go a little mad… or might I even say, become temporary fanatics of the sport? Are you a March Madness (fan)atic? If you can relate to the following, then the answer is probably yes!
- You fill out a crazy amount of brackets for the NCAA Basketball Tournament. This is a classic sign of a true March Madness fan. Whether you’re in it to win it or just enjoy the strategy and excitement of picking your favorite teams, filling out multiple brackets is a surefire way to show your dedication to the tournament and that you’re a (fan)atic.
2. You take off work for March Madness. If you’re willing to sacrifice work hours (or even a day or two) just to watch the tournament, and March Madness is more than just a sporting event such that taking time off to fully embrace it, this is a sure sign you’re a (fan)atic.
3. You stay up late and go to work exhausted because of March Madness. Whether you’re watching late-night games or just can’t tear yourself away from the action, March Madness can take a toll on your sleep schedule. If you’re willing to sacrifice your rest just to keep up with the tournament, you’re truly a (fan)atic.
4. You love that the players are all in during the tournament. March Madness is a time when college basketball players give it their all and that’s something that fans of the tournament really appreciate. Whether it’s watching players make clutch shots or seeing them give everything they have on the court, the intensity and passion of the players are one of the things that make the tournament so special.
5. You enjoy watching the tournament with other college basketball fans. Part of what makes March Madness so fun is the camaraderie that comes with watching it with other fans. Whether you’re cheering on your favorite teams with friends or just enjoying the energy of the crowds at sports bars, being able to share the experience with others is a big part of what makes the tournament so enjoyable.
6. The energy during March Madness is intense. From the tip-off of the first game to the final buzzer of the championship, March Madness is an intense experience. Whether you’re watching the games in person or just following along online, the energy and excitement of the tournament are palpable and it’s one of the things that makes it so special for fans.
So, are you a March Madness fanatic? If you can relate to any of the above, the answer is probably yes! Whether you’re a die-hard fan who enjoys betting on the games, screaming at the TV, getting into shouting matches with friends and family members, or just enjoy watching the tournament as it comes around each year, don’t be afraid to embrace the (fan)atic inner March Madness in you— it’s the perfect time to get excited for One Shining Moment! Cheers!
