- This week, ESPN is recognizing "Jimmy V Week". Regrettably, I came of age as Coach V's coaching career was coming to an end. When his team won the NCAA's in 1983, I was only ten years old. My memories of Dereck Whittenburg and Lorenzo Charles are a little dimmer than those of the ACC greats that followed - Mark Alarie, Johnny Dawkins, and Len Bias. Likewise, after Valvano finally found someone to hug in Albuquerque , his own national presence seemed to fade in favor of Coaches Krzyzewski and Boeheim.
After 1990 and Personal Fouls was published, only Valvano's family and Vitale could say anything complementary about him. Until 1993.
Less than a month before his death, Coach V gave a speech that will forever remain in the heart of any sports enthusiast. It should, however, not remain within that community. The motto "Don't give up; don't ever give up" is not unique to the athletic arena.
The games played during the Jimmy V Classic are sure to be entertaining. It will bring back many fond memories any may even lead me to laughter, thought, and tears.
- Melissa and I stifled laughter long enough to discuss renewing our vows someday. Not for ourselves, but just to have a party and confuse our family and friends.
We'll play two songs to demonstrate the tug-of-war of nuptial bliss. She'll play Pearl Jam's Can't Find A Better Man and I'll play George Jone's He Stopped Loving Her Today.
The rest of the evening will be spent in quiet and nervous conversation about whether we're serious or not.
- With Missouri and West Virginia out of the championship picture, I have temporarily discontinued caring (I haven't given up; I won't ever give up) about the winners of the BSC games. Let Hawaii have its chance, I won't be watching.
One more season like this, however, and I could quite possibly be on board for a play-off system, reversing my previous opinion . I thought I'd never say that.
