I shelved this blog from last year. Now I feel is the appropriate time to blog on this subject with the NCAA tournament in full swing tonight with the First Four, folks filling out their brackets, and watching their favorite teams in this month long college basketball tournament. My team of course is The North Carolina Tar Heels. I want to see them go as far as possible, even win it all. The next most exciting thing about this tourney is the various upsets that occur.
They call these teams Cinderellas. They have arrived at the big dance as huge underdogs, but receive unlimited attention and exposure. Butler has been an ultimate Cinderella the past two years, making the national championship game but falling short. VCU was also a Cinderella team last year, going from the First Four as a bubble team to the Final Four.
Notable Cinderellas of the past include the College of Charleston, Richmond, Miami of Ohio, Gonzaga, my alma mater Winthrop, Princeton, Valpo, and George Mason. Arguably the most notable was Texas Western (now UTEP). In 1966, they transcended all of basketball by being the first all black starting lineup in NCAA history. They pulled off the impossible, beating the legend Adolph Rupp and his powerful Kentucky team to take the national title.
Cinderellas give us hope, allow us to dream, and to work for our one shining moment. They remind us that hard work and determination does yield results. Just because you're not playing for UNC, Duke, Kentucky, or Kansas doesn't mean you can't play with the big boys. Take Stephen Curry. Four years ago, he was the star on the Davidson Wildcats. Despite having a killer jumper and a father (Dell) that was in the NBA, none of the big schools wanted him. He played so well for three years that he led his school to the Elite Eight in 2008 against eventual champion Kansas. He then was drafted in the NBA 6th overall by the Golden State Warriors. He has been a consistent star ever since. I expect him to have a long NBA career.
It all starts with the mind and the heart. We can not judge that in any of the 68 teams in the field. When they step on the court, anything is possible.
I always get cold chills around this time of year reading about the various stories and being inspired by the underdogs. It give me drive and determination. It helps me to achieve my goals and dreams, and stare adversity dead in the eye.
I'm sure this year's Cinderella will be just as exciting as always. After all, every one wants their time in the spotlight, regardless of how long it lasts
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