Seafood, anyone?

Last night put an end to college basketball for the year (in what was a really great last game!), and sadly, my bracket proved to be less than superior.

It's a bummer, really. I would've enjoyed a free seafood dinner, but oh well, I guess that's life.

Now the only thing I keep thinking about is what in the world I'm going to do every weekend with no sports to watch.

I suppose I could always become a Dodger's fan.

Hmm. There's something to think about...

The end of the ride

I've cried over boys before. Plenty of times. But I can honestly say I've never cried over three boys at once. Until last night.

Last night the WSU Cougars lost to the University of North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen. I knew UNC was good, number one in the nation, but a part of me believed an upset was possible. Sadly, that's not what happened. UNC beat WSU 68-47, and I sat with my head in my hands and cried my eyes out.

Why, you ask? It's only a basketball game, right? There's always next year.

That's where you're wrong. There's not a next year for Robbie Cowgill, Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver. While I've only been watching these three boys for the past two years, they've been a part of the Cougar basketball team for the past four. Last night was the last game these three seniors would ever play for the crimson and grey, and that thought literally breaks my heart.

I'll miss them all so much. They came to feel like family. I wanted to write some sort of entry about the memories I have of all of them, but I don't think I could do any better than Pat Mitchell did in "To Kyle, Derrick and Robbie: Thanks for the ride."

When my boyfriend read this article to me over the phone last night, it brought tears to my eyes and pride to my heart. I think for me, WSU basketball will always be about Weaver, Cowgill and Low. Not because they'll be there, playing on the court. But because their dedication, skill and spirit will live on in every shot, in every block, in every set back and in every victory.

I put up the picture of the Washington Apple shots not because last night was a victory, but because I am so thankful for all the victories these guys helped make happen. It was such a fun ride, and I'll never, ever forget them. Go Cougs!

Betcha

Well, I finally did it! I filled out my bracket! And so far, I haven't lost a prediction. (pretty crazy considering I filled it out after three long island ice teas)

I've never been a big gambler, but last night, my boyfriend and I placed a bet on our brackets. Whoever gets the most points has to take the other one out for a seafood dinner. The way I see it, that's the best kind of bet. Because even if I lose, I still get to eat some good food.

Enjoy the March Madness!

Star struck

Yes, WSU lost on Friday night to Stanford. But the whole night wasn’t a waste. In fact, it was pretty amazing. Why? Because after the game, me and my boyfriend went down to the tunnel the players go into after the game. We hung our hands over the rail and cheered as loud as we could to let all our boys know we love them, win or lose.

And then, something amazing happened.

Every single WSU basketball player slapped our hands!!

Baines. Low. Weaver. Harmeling. Rochestie. And more.

Eeeeeeek!

I know some of you are probably cracking up right now. Believe me, I know how silly it sounds to be completely star struck by a group of college basketball players. But I am. I admit it.

Afterwards, sitting in the car, I had this really weird, stalker-like urge to run back into the Staples Center, break into the locker room and force them all to become my bestfriends.

Luckily the feeling passed.

P.S.--It was also really great to be sitting next to a group of WSU fans who referred to Stanford twins, Robin and Brook, as Mary Kate and Ashley. No matter how many times they yelled, "Miss it, Mary Kate! Miss it!" it never lost its hilarity.

Catch the Cougar spirit

Last night I went to watch WSU play Oregon in the PAC 10 tournament at the Staples Center, and it was a blast! WSU won, which means I get to go back tonight for the semifinals when they play Stanford.

It was the perfect afternoon for a basketball game. Waiting outside before the game, the sun was out, the wind was warm, the DJ was spinning some good tunes and Coug fans were being, well, Coug fans.

I’m not sure if I’ve told you or not, but I didn’t go to WSU. I went to a small college in Texas that no one has ever heard of, with a year-long stint at the University of Houston (whose mascot, the cougar, was coincidentally chosen by a former WSU coach turned U of H coach). When I first moved to LA, I decided to become a USC fan. That lasted for about a year until I met my boyfriend, and he converted me from a Trojan to a Coug.

So, since I’ve spent the larger part of my life with no real college loyalties, I think I have enough of an unbiased opinion to say that Cougar fans really do have something special about them. Outside before the game, I had a good 45 minutes to people watch. What I saw put a smile on my face and pride in my heart.

Coug fans love other Coug fans. They really and truly do. When one Coug fan sees another, there’s no telling what might happen. High fives. Big hugs. A shared round of beers. A spontaneous rendition of the fight song. But most commonly, an enthusiastic “Go Cougs!”

At first, it was hard for me to get used to this intense camaraderie that Cougar fans share, even if they’ve never met each other. In the beginning, when someone would spot my crimson and grey and give me the “Go Cougs!” yell, I’d smile shyly and walk on by. However, after two seasons of football and basketball, I’m pretty used to it, and last night, I passed out plenty “Go Cougs!” of my own.

But the reason I’m telling you all this is to say that I believe this is the way fans should be!

While I was people watching, not once did I hear the Arizona fight song being sung, not once did I see a UCLA fan exchange even a glance with another UCLA fan, and not once did I hear a USC or Oregon fan give a little “Go Trojans” or “Go Ducks.”

No, the only thing I heard was Cougar spirit. Radiating from big smiles and countless “Go Cougs!” and group hugs and new friendships being formed. Blasting from the group of guys running around wildly waving a giant WSU flag to the cheers of fellow fans. Springing forth from the 50-year-old mom with her two kids who unabashedly broke into the “W-A-S-H-I-N-G-T-O-N-S-T-A-T-E” part of the fight song when she saw a group of Cougs standing by the box office.

In the midst of the pandemonium, I realized I was really proud to be a WSU Cougar fan. Not just because they’re an excellent basketball team, but because Cougar fans really love life and having fun and it shows in the way they love their school.

And honestly, I think everyone could benefit from a little bit of the Cougar spirit.

Final Farewell

My boyfriend is moving this weekend, from Hollywood to Santa Monica. I'm totally excited about the move. I can't wait for him to be back by the ocean. But I am really, really sad about one thing: Saying good bye to my favorite sports bar.

Saturday will be final farewell to my very favorite sports bar of all time: Big Wangs. Sure, there will be other sports bars. And Barney's on the 3rd street promenade is a lot of fun. But it's still no Big Wangs. And even though I hope we'll go back from time to time, I know it won't be a two-night-a-week affair.

What makes the place so special, you ask? I'm not sure I can place my finger on one thing. Maybe it's the fact that I was at Big Wangs the first time I got drunk off beer, something I swore wasn't possible. Or maybe it was the Tekati Tuesdays or the pulled pork sandwich or the annual crawfish boil that won me over. I can't be completely sure.

One thing I do know is that when I walk in the door, I feel as comfortable as I do in my own living room. I feel like it's my bar. And everyone else is just visiting. I feel like I could plop myself down in a comfy booth or atop a sturdy bar stool, kick my feet up and stay awhile. In addition to that, the staff is friendly, the food is amazing, and there's always a TV waiting to be turned to the WSU game.

This Saturday, WSU will meet with UW in the Apple Cup of basketball and the last game of the regular season. I guess in a way, it's the perfect game to watch during my final farewell to Big Wangs. I'll eat some nachos, drink some beer, hopefully do a victory shot and soak up all the memories I've made there over the past year. And when I leave, I just might shed a tear or two. Silly, yes. But man, do I love that place.

If you're ever in the area, check it out!

*UPDATE: If you tried to check out my new blog, Oh me, Oh my, and found that it was blocked, don't worry. Blogger thinks it's a spam blog, for some reason, and they're checking it out. It should be back up and running in a day or so.

Oh me, Oh my

Sorry, this post isn't about sports. It's actually about a new blog that I've recently started. Since not all of my life (though sometimes it does seem like all of it) is dedicated to talking about, watching or analyzing sports, I wanted a place to discuss all the other things I'm into like music, books, friends, family, food, and much, much more.

Don't worry! Blitz won't be going anywhere. I'll still be blogging every week about sports. After all, March Madness is fast approaching. I couldn't leave you hanging right now!

But in case you're ever in the mood for something a little different, feel free to surf on over to Oh me, Oh my and see what's happening over there. I'd love to have you!