National Championship

To begin with, let me say that as a freshman, I realize that I have been spoiled. I cheered as we beat each in-state ACC school in football. I rushed the field as we beat my Miami for homecoming. I traveled to the bowl game over Christmas vacation. I was here for the undefeated home season including dominating wins over Maryland and Georgia Tech, games I not only had tickets too but had lower level or riser tickets to. In my first year we won the ACC outright. And then we go and win the NCAA Championship. It hasn’t sunk in entirely yet as it is too much to take in.

I went to Franklin Street, with the 10 people I watched the game with in my dorm room, after the win over Michigan State because you never know how often you’ll get to go celebrate a final four win.

For the championship game, I decided to go join the 9500 other fans in the Dean Dome. That place was crazy. To describe the feeling of the Dean Dome in one word: indescribable. It was as if I was right there watching the game. I wasn’t so sure how yelling would be because, you know, we were just watching the game on TV. But we all were so into it. As the first half lead evaporated only for Felton to pull off that steal, the student a few seats down from me began to cry as others of us sat down at the realization that yes, we were going to win. We were going to be the 2005 National Champions.

As I rushed out of the Dean Dome, I stopped by my dorm room on the way to Franklin Street to watch us cut down the nets. Then I continued on to where I was Saturday night. But Franklin Street was different. And I’m not just talking about the addition of 38,000 people causing the difference. Saturday, while celebrating, we knew there was work still to be done. Monday, we knew it was finished. There is nothing better in college basketball than to win the national championship. And I was with 45,000 other fans celebrating that win. That feeling couldn’t be topped could it?

Try joining 15,000 other fans in the Dean Dome Tuesday evening to welcome back the team and Roy and his coaching staff. That was even more phenomenal as I heard the coaches and players speak.

I know the above is just a ramble of what it was like. I was just typing what I felt as I reflected back on an amazing time. But in an attempt to sum it up: I grew up a Carolina fan. But cheering for UNC as a student makes it a whole different level that is only felt and cannot be explained. To cheer for the team that isn’t just the team I pull for, but the team that is representing my school brought the game (and championship) to a different level for me. To be here on campus before, during and after the game was phenomenal Yes, there are things more important than athletics. Yes, I had tests and homework I could have been working on. However, a national championship is a lifetime memory. I will never forget my experiences of the recent NCAA tournament.