A special post from a great American!

Loyal reader Jeff "Killer" Kampf is up there with Goldie Hawn, Star Jones and Willard Scott as notable alumni from American University, which is making its first appearance in the big dance. I asked Killer, who was at the game, to send us his observations ... here they are!

Thank you Professor. I am in the American University Amphitheatre just steps from Bender Arena where two days earlier The American University Eagles punched its first ever ticket to the Dance. (I cannot reveal why it took me two days to file this report, for obvious reasons). Even 2 days later, though, there is still a feeling of madness in the air and several people “asleep” at my feet. You can still see the remnants of Coach Jones’ red, white and blue tears. Over the Quad, you might be able to see the ghosts of failure-past floating away (actually seemingly towards that White House down the road where other ghosts of failure past..and present hover). This arena has seen many a disappointment since it’s name was changed in disgrace from the Adnan M. Khashoggi Center. Before then, the AU fans suffered disappointments at Ft. Myer Gymnasium in Arlington, VA. (AU was the only D1 team in the nation to play its home games in a different state). But today it seems different. All of that because we wanted it more.

As for the game, it was E-lectric. The Jersey Kid Derrick Mercer tried to make Coach Hurley proud with his running of the offense, but still they could not shake those Colgate Red Raiders. With each passing moment and each lead change (there were 12), the tension tightened in my chest like that Professor Renner’s Presidential Politics examination of ’82. The expectations of failure were everywhere and anticipated. Cubs fans have nothing on the Eagle faithful. But the crowd still willed it, never stopping to take a breath. “A-U, A-U”, “Let’s Go Eagles”, “Bri-an, Gil-More”. Mixed among the students, I thought I saw many a long suffering alumnus at the game: I think I spotted Willard Scott with his face painted blue and white. It appeared Tony Perkins (GMA) may have been leading the cheerleaders in the old fight song. I suspect Goldie Hawn and Kurt were in the President’s Box (if there were one). I even think I saw Jenny Piccolo (Joanie’s friend from Happy Days) another alum making out with an assistant coach under the bleachers after the game, but I am not sure about that. My friend David Aldridge, former ESPN’s lead NBA reporter, was undoubtedly doing remotes from the sideline for TNT.

The band played “Don’t Stop Believin” every time fell behind. It was a bit ominous, frankly, given the vision one has of that song since the Soprano’s finale. (Spoiler alert!). But it proved nothing more than a victory song. Perhaps Tony is alive after all.

As the clock finally wound down. I braced myself for a trampling as this young kids swarmed to center court. Instead, I found myself leading the pack, yellow jacketed event security be damned. I earned this. Everyone else did as well. Within second of that final buzzer, the Eagle symbol on the center of Jack and Dot’s Bender Arena was awash in a true American Family. We remained there for hours hugging, crying, reminiscing, and continuing to dream. Duke, UNC, Tennessee (according to Lunardi), it does not matter we are dancing with the stars. (Maybe our partner will be Julianne)

Notwithstanding our seedings 16, 15, Play-In-Game, this year, the NCAA Tournament Championship will truly and finally be an American Event. From a boisterous and glowing American University Campus, this is Killer. Now back to you Professor BB.