Big (Ten) Night Out!

Greetings and salutations,

Mama and Papa took me out on the town this evening. And before someone alerts Child Protective Services, we did not embark upon a tour of the Downtown Iowa City hotspots. No, instead the Hogrefe Family was privileged to take in the Iowa Hawkeyes battle The Ohio State Buckeyes in a men's Big Ten basketball tilt. Now, I have had the occasion to view a couple of Papa's intramural soirees. Those are entertaining and there is always one guy who smiles at me during time-outs. In any event, tonight was my first foray into Carver Hawkeye Arena. I suppose there is one caveat; Mama lugged me across the arena floor last May during her commencement ceremony. However, truth be told, I only vaguely recollect the in utero memories of that occasion. Rest assured that Mama informed me that it was every bit as challenging carrying me up and down the steep stairs this time as it was last May.

As the picture above indicates, our seats were fantastic. We were in the first row of the stadium seating, and I even got to meet Herky. He was rather cordial, but when he sat in front of me his large cranium obstructed my view for a brief time. And if I am not mistaken, during the game a couple of droplets of perspiration may have landed upon me. However, Mama was there to mop them up with my handy burp rag. Papa contended it may have been salivary contents from a gentleman a dozen rows behind us who appeared to have a personal vendetta against one of the referees. I learned that these referees are often berated but are really just doing the best job they can, calling the action as they see it from their vantage.

In the end, the Hawkeyes came up just short. Yet, it was a very entertaining game. I cheered throughout and boisterously supported my Mama and Papa's alma mater. Papa and I conversed during the contest, and I learned a few things. First of all, as is the case in most sporting endeavors, it seems that the games are won and lost on the defensive end. Tomorrow I plan to work on my defensive stance and shuffling my feet to stay in front of my defender. Okay, maybe I will focus on that walking thing first. But I do have a secret weapon...If I keep drooling at this pace, my defender will assuredly lose his balance, resulting in a traveling violation or a turnover. Trust me, Papa and I looked in the rule book and there is no penalty for drooling.

Secondly, I learned that basketball players are much taller in person than on the television. They appeared to be equivalent to four of me stacked in a vertical orientation. I am going to have to remain on my current growth curve (presently in the 89th percentile) to contend with these big boys. And finally, we talked about college sports in general. The opportunity to partake in athletics at the collegiate level is a blessing realized by hard work, dedication, and some God-given ability. But in the end, the defining and quintessential aspect of college sports is college...The education achieved in, and more more importantly outside, the athletic arena is what enables one to be truly successful in life. Papa and I will hit the books first and then the hardwood.


Carter

Someone in heaven is always looking after me...