Attitude Adjustment

My friend, Penny, says we have too much testosterone . . . We both love sports & follow them intently. Well, for this sports fan, it has been quite a year!!!

Typically, the teams I love & follow fall just short even in a successful year . . . It's similar to the actor's "it's a honor just to have been nominated," statement upon losing at the Oscars. Often, I have made remarks such as, "At least we didn't embarrass ourselves" or "I'm glad we were competitive." Steeling myself against a loss, I have on some level come to hope for the best but expect the worst. I believe the time has come for an attitude adjustment. . . My teams are not only winning but reaching the upper echelon in their respective sports.

Our course, a real highlight was the incredible run of the Mountaineer basketball team in the Big East tournament & to the Elite 8 of the NCAA's--oh so close to the Final 4. No, we didn't reach win the National Championship, but we won so many tournament games & played so well that we attained national prominence. What a ride! Already this season we have beaten some top 10 teams & have a top 20 national ranking.

Adam's team, the UMD Terps (all right it's not HIS team, but he is the media relations contact!) won the NCAA Men's College Cup 1-0. It was so exciting! I wear my National Championship t-shirt proudly.

In football the Mountaineers capped an amazing season with a Sugar Bowl victory! I will always remember how intense we were as we watched the team come back against Louisville which was the beginning of this team's refuse to lose attitude. The team has also received a top 10 national ranking & predictions are that next year will be even better!

Now to the Steelers . . . Big Ben, the Bus, & Co. are going to the AFC Championship game when nearly all the football experts didn't give them a chance . . . It is sweet indeed! Bring on the Super Bowl!

So I am raising the bar for my teams. I am having an attitude adjustment. I have lofty expectations. If success breeds success, then I now believe the sky's the limit!

It's a great year to be a MOUNTAINEER!

The following is the blog I sent to the Mountaineers via msnsportsnet:

Who knew when we experienced the euphoria last March of the basketball team's improbable run in the NCAA tournament that the same feeling would be matched less than a year later by the football team's Sugar Bowl victory! Yes, it's a great time to be a Mountaineer fan! My observation is that both teams exemplify the qualities of heart, hustle, and hard work. Both coaching staffs seem to know how to develop talent and team chemisty.

Our football team seemed to take a great deal of pride in being one of the best conditioned teams in the nation. When our players received individual accolades, they always credited their teammates & the coaching staff for their success. It is so gratifying to see our coaches & players complimented by the national media. This team has certainly exemplified all that is right with college athletics. Congratulations, Mountaineers, and thank you for a thrilling season! Good luck to the seniors with all your future endeavors . . . you have certainly gone out in style!