My dad took me to see “Hoosiers” when I was 10 years old. It’s fair to say that was my first big introduction to basketball. And Indiana. Basketball is dad’s favorite sport, especially college hoops.
Dad grew up in West Hartford and graduated from University of Connecticut in 1968. He’s been a loyal UConn Huskies fan ever since. In 1979, when I was a mere 4 years old, we moved to San Diego so dad could start a job at San Diego State University. He gave 35 years to SDSU and became a lifelong Aztec.
In March Madness 2011, SDSU faced off against UConn in the Sweet Sixteen and dad got to watch that game in person. He kept the ticket stub and when I was in town last week, he passed it along to me. And while the Aztecs lost that game, I think seeing his two favorite teams play each other was one of the highlights of his life.
Tonight, 12 years later, the SDSU Aztecs and UConn Huskies will again play each other. Dad isn’t viewing this game in person, but he’ll for sure be watching his two favorite teams face off, this time for the national championship.
GO AZTECS!! ❤️🏀🖤