West Virginia

Mar 22, 2008 - 14:43 PM PST

You know, sometimes people think that I may be too invested in sports. But it serves as a great respite from the every day workings of life. Today the West Virginia Mountaineers upset number 2 Duke Blue Devils to advance in the NCAA tournament. I watched every second, and the second half of that game twice.

I think it's a bit more to me than simple sports when it comes to West Virginia University sports. To me, it's also a matter of state pride and recognition.

I lived in Baltimore, MD for 3 1/2 years. In that time, when asked where I was from, I would have to explain that I was from West Virginia, the state, and not western Virginia. On top of that, many people have such a negative stereotype of West Virginians, that, somehow, advancement in the realm of sports, enables a spotlight to be shown upon the state in a way that can refute such stereotypes.

I mean, I post on the internet all the time, but that still doesn't keep people from calling me some back woods hillbilly, that has an out house and no shoes... I have heard it all, and West Virginia University allows me to have pride in the state, as well as allows others to see West Virginia as any other people from any other state.

And when my wife, Rachael, is every bit into each football and basketball game and not a moment is taken away from the time I need to be doing chores, or spending with my family, how is it appropriate to say I am "too invested" in sports?

Let's go Mountaineers...