Converted by Class Add Comment    Mar 20, 2011

Im having a tough go here during this years NCAA Basketball Tournament.

You see, Im a University of Utah fan.  And as such, Im required (by State Law, if Im not mistaken) to despise BYU.  To compound the problem, Im what I like to refer to as a Class B Utah Fan- meaning, I never attended the University of Utah, myself.  Rather, I received a rejection letter from BYU when I was applying for college.  The nerve!  Can you imagine, me, a full-tithe paying member of the Church, who graduated a full year early from High School, with a 31 on my ACT, being REJECTED by this arrogant- yet clearly apostate- educational branch of the church?

It was appalling.  Out of spite and indignation, Ive spent the last 22 years of my life funneling all my Fanboy energies toward Salt Lake City, celebrating every time BYU faltered in any way, shape, or form.  I even snicker within myself when one of their professors emerges as a 9/11 truther, so deep is my hatred for that band of Better-Than-Yous.

But now, I find my hard, bitter shell softening.  And its not just this Jimmer kid doing it to me.  No, BYU has shown such a high, distinct level of class and talent this season, its grown impossible for me to hate them properly anymore.

Oddly enough, my softening came with the suspension of Brandon Davies.  At the climax (no pun intended) of their season, on the eve of them gaining a real chance at a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, BYU suspended one of their top players for a violation of their honor code, thus demonstrating to the world that honor and integrity are a higher priority to this team than victory or praise.  I have a very hard time trying to imagine any other team taking such an action at such a critical point in their season.

But its not just that.  Its been Davies reaction to the suspension- a full mea culpa, and a white-shirt-and-tie sideline presence to emotionally support his team where he can no longer physically support them- that has really won me over.  The team has almost universally acknowledged his mistake and expressed their support- both for him, and for his suspension.  This was an action that could literally cost them a Championship; and yet not a bitter word can be heard from their locker room.

But then- THEN- the real kicker.  Throughout this tournament so far, they have refused to roll over and die, as the naysayers have directed them to.  Instead, theyve been barnstorming over their opponents, pounding them into the ground with the Hammer of Jimmer and his supporting cast, with an infectious level of energy that has even their most bitter Haters- like me- getting sucked into the cheering masses.

No, this isnt easy for me.  But Im going to go ahead and suck up 22 years of vitriol, bottle it away for possible future use, and, for the time being at least, Im going to Cougar it up and cheer these guys on.  Hopefully past the Sweet 16, and into the upper echelon of NCAA competition. 

As much as I hate to say it, these guys really deserve it.

Article written by

Steven Rosbach