So far, I have not witnessed a production that is any better than this.
Not Las Vegas, not television, not the movies.
No, a big-time college basketball game equals them all. And here we are at the start of one of the Biggest Events of the Sports year. “The Big Dance” ergo “March Madness.”
Although I may not be one of the most knowledgeable followers of college basketball, I certainly follow the show that surrounds the game.
The “March Madness” arenas will be no different. I wish I could be there!
Here’s an example. A few weeks ago Fred and I attended the K-State-Iowa State game in Manhattan. We sat at the press tables on the floor. I had a great seat for watching.
We missed out when we went to college. Fred’s and my university experience was wayyyyy back there when electronics, smoke machines, piped music, dog acts, gymnasts and crowd participation were not ... well, didn’t happen.
Bands performed at half time. Twirlers twirled.
But today?
The energy in the arena is contagious. I guess rock concerts are pretty much the same. Crowd participation, energy, music.
I take it all in.
The pre-game music is loud and jive-y with a strong beat. The teams feel it while on the floor practicing shots. They’re getting mentally ready.
Student trainers work on the floor with the teams, keeping the ball moving so that the players can move fast practicing lay-ups and rebounds. These guys get a work-out chasing the balls and tossing them to the players. The music is loud and effective.
I watch little kids in the crowd. They watch with stars in their eyes. Their K-State caps sit securely on their little heads. I’m thinking those hats weren’t cheap.
The players are much taller close-up than they look on television. These guys are young! They have to be nervous, don’t they?
I can’t make comments to Fred. It’s too loud. He can’t hear me. He’s watching the players.
Big four-sided video screens are above our heads. The videos play interviews with the different K-State players, then videos of heroic shots during past games, crowds cheering, and shots of individuals in the crowd. Spectators notice that the camera is on them. They are on the screen. They wave, or dance.
I hope that camera doesn’t find me!
Everything points to the BIG game. It hasn’t begun yet. But the party has begun.
Don’t kid yourself, Annie. The Big Dance won’t be any different; maybe even more hype. But, then, I don’t think it can get any more intense than this!
The cheerleaders and dance team girls are all teeny and very attractive. Was I ever that slim? And they are professional. None of this “Let’s go team. Rah Rah Rah. Zip Boom Bah” stuff. Nope. Acrobatics, cute dances, and excellent choreographed cheers are totally synchronized and fun to watch. These girls are on task the entire time.
I wonder if the cheer squads will come with the 32 tournament teams? I bet they are practicing like mad this week.
The college guys watch the girls, no doubt. I’m sitting with the press guys. They don’t take their eyes off the game, or the computers in front of them, and the cheerleaders are directly in front of the tables. I notice.
They are definitely pretty “ho hum”. I suppose that’s because they do this all the time.
The crowd is pouring in ... Soon it’s time.
The music intensity increases; boom ka boom. It’s dark. The spotlight begins its search. It focuses on the player as each is introduced.
In a gravely voice, the announcer introduces each player, like this: DEAN WAAAAAAAADE! Dean runs out, spotlight on him in the dark, he shakes hands, a fog emanates from the floor,
Magical.
After the Star-Spangled banner, the Wildcat band really gets pumped. The tubas swing back and forth while the Wabash Cannonball is waking up the student section.
The cheerleaders take the floor. The students rise to their feet, and the tip-off falls into Wildcat hands.
The place goes ballistic.
And me? I am just thrilled with it all. All I need now is a coke and a bag of popcorn and I am in heaven.
And to anyone who has tickets to the tournaments this next several weeks...I wish I could be there with you.

Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at bluegrasses@gmail.com. Visit her website juditabler.com.