Danny Selig's NCAA Experience - Saturday

When I applied to Franklin and Marshall, I had images of participating in fraternal shenanigans like the legends of ‘Animal House', enormous college buildings, raving into the odd hours of the night and being surrounded by the most beautiful women in the world.   When I arrived, I was dismayed to find that the buildings were only of average size, that I became a math major who never enjoyed the party life and that the women were not the most beautiful in the world (though they are beautiful). 

My first year of basketball was not as satisfying as I had hoped either, as I was part of one of the worst teams in the college's history with a record of 7-18.  To my luck, over the next two years, our coaching staff recruited the young guns that are now the starting five, who still happen to be young guns.  Going from a 7-18 season to a 26-7 season in two years was the highlight of my college career.  The girls on our campus have not gotten any more attractive, however the bonds I've made with my teammates and the experiences gained from playing college basketball have made up for that and more.

The tournament was a long road with absolutely no twists or turns.  We had four home games, which was great, because I now understand the unbelievable fan base and support for F&M basketball in the Lancaster greater area.  It is true that Mayser is the best place to play DIII college basketball. 

When we finally got to Salem, it was as if I was ‘erased' by Arnold Schwarzenegger, because I had been in the deepest most peaceful slumber of my life for the entire six-hour bus ride.  I woke up when we arrived at the Hotel Roanoke, and although I am a Division III basketball player, I was greeted with a Division I gift basket, that included a nail clipper, a sheet of paper and a Reese's Egg.  I ate that egg and it was savory, but every mouthful containing peanut butter contained just as much resent.  I think I speak for everyone on our team when I say that we're still waiting for our free NCAA DIII t-shirts.  Our team made a unanimous decision to jump J.J. Jumper to get the t-shirts he threw into the audience, which were rightfully ours.  However, when we saw the Wash U in St. Louis fan section, we were too scared to rush the floor.  I've never seen such an organized symphony of muscular pop. Culture figures.  

In comparison, our student section was an organized small ensemble, as only five F&M students made the trip to Salem.  I would like to thank those five students dearly.  To the rest of the students, I hope you enjoyed tanning in Angola, or eating thirty dollar hot-dogs in Aspen.  You missed out on a truly great event in the great little town of Salem, VA.  I would also like to thank all of the Lancaster locals, who have supported F&M basketball throughout its ups and downs over the past forty years.  It has been a pleasure to play in front of so many loyal fans that always judge us by our character, rather than our class year or win-loss record. 

Touché Hoopsville.  We came in fourth place in all of Division III basketball, you guys called it right in the end.  I'm guessing next year's blog will start off by saying that F&M is too young and inexperienced to win our Tip-Off tournament on our home court.  I am extremely proud of this young team, the coaching staff and everybody involved with F&M basketball.  We made it further than anybody had ever expected.  Thank you to all the supporters, my family, my teammates and coaches.