dayumkrazy1's blog

march madness ...a different story

 abuse

 Just a story I felt like sharing to all my Golo buddies that you didn't know, but may find interesting.

<> I  remember when my family moved here from Virginia back in 1969, we stayed with my grand mother for a few months until we bought a house here in Raleigh of our own. She lived at 10 Dixie Trail, just a stones throw from Hillsborough St. There was a Roy Rogers restaurant on the corner and a Red barn across at an angle from that...just trying to jog a few memories of those who may remember them. Turn left and go up the street about a block is NCSU campus, everyone in the area was a fan and ofcourse they won the National Title in college basketball in 1974. I was just beginning to understand and like college sports when that happened. Fast forward to 1983 when NCSU again went to the Final, by then being a UNC fan I picked Houston to win it all, at the time was the obvious choice so atleast I am honest. I remember the shot Whittenberg took and said it was a pass (yeah right) as he smiles to this day when asked knowing he isn't telling the truth. I remember Lorenzo Charles jumping in the air, grabbing the ball and slamming it home...it was like time stood still and no one could believe what just happened. I remember Jimmy V. running around the court looking like he was in disbelief as to what just transpired. I still believe for a few moments that night he thought he was just in a dream that actually came true. Moments later he knew it was real when he saw the score and the reaction of his players.

The next day, I remember my sister having her picture on the front page of the News and Observer. She worked for Kerr Drug at the time in Cameron Village, just around the corner from NCSU. She is an avid State fan who obviously was thrilled at the outcome of the game. Seeing her on the front page of the newspaper was a big deal to my family, not every day that happens and knowing how it impacted her. I was very proud of that and it was a great feeling even to me as her younger brother. As a UNC fan it didn't bother me NCSU had won, my sister was on the front page of the biggest newspaper in the Triangle. My dad was quite proud as well, he showed off that paper for months, so did I and I guess you could say it was just an amazing time for NCSU and my sister.

Later working for a local bank here in Raleigh, I got the opportunity of working with Alvin Battle. He was a reserve forward for NCSU during their 1982-83 season, I don't know how many minutes he played in each game, but I know he contributed often. When I heard he played for NCSU, I didn't think much about it until we met.  Upon meeting him I let him know right away I was a UNC fan, he was like...oh no! Standing next to him was like standing next to an oak tree with large limbs, I am 6'1 and he is every bit of 6'8 or more so that should give you some idea. We talked about that game and how the season came together, he told me how unbelievable it was and how it will always be a part of something special for him...how he will never for get that night. He shared many stories, but knowing he was part of something like that was very impressive even to me the die hard UNC fan. In time we heckled eachother over wins and losses between the two teams, it was fun and we had many laughs every day. I found  I had made a very good friend, I still to this day have a tremendous amount of respect for him, he is a very intelligent man, a strong presence, and has a great personality. He liked other sports too, Nascar...his favorite driver being Dale Jarrett, he had went to a race once and brought me back a hat pin. He knew I liked Dale Earnhardt, but the hat pin was red, white and black..sound familiar? Dale Jr. had signed a deal to race the Bud car and the pins were already out, he did it to mess with me because of the colors, but it was fine, I accepted it with no problem. I still have that pin where I can see it every day, its not what he gave me, but the thought that counts. 

In Dec of '07 ESPN was looking back at the upcoming 25th anny for NCSU's unbelievable run at the title, they showed Jimmy V's speech at the Espy's when he won the Author Ashe award in '93. I watched every second again and still say its a great speech from a coach...no matter what college team you like. Jimmy V. could flat out get anyone's attention and 14+ years later I am still impressed with how he left no stone unturned that night about his life. He held nothing backand left everyone with the same spirit he had as a coach in the '83 championship game..."Don't give up...Don't ever give up!" Two people from that team did impact my life, it won't change the team I like in college sports but, it does make a difference with how I view they're unbelievable seasonand how it impacted my life then and now.