Hog memories

We watched the Hog cagers Sunday afternoon and they whuped up on the Ga. Bulldogs. The Bulldogs must be pretty bad for us to win as easily as we did, but we did look a whole lot better than in previous outings.
We watched because it was the "reunion" game, a time set aside to honor the 1994 champs. Nolan was there, his white head shining, and Big Nasty and Scotty and Big Dog and so many of the young men we loved so much.
It brought back a lot of personal memories. I was one of the fortunate Arkies to be in Charlotte NC that afternoon long ago in 94. I was seated only a few feet from Scotty when he took the pass from big Dwight and lofted the shot with 51 seconds left in the game. Yep, right there, watching it all. The shot, like being in a car wreck--it seemed to float in the air forever, but it did go in and I started hugging my three buddies there with me, knowing we had them Devils right where we wanted them.
It's a sweet memory for me, to know I was there when our university accomplished something it will probably never see again...at least while I'm still around. I followed the Hogs a many a mile, from Dallas to Atlanta to Birmingham to Rupp...and it was a very fun time in my life. I talked with Corliss the other night, at our Hall of Fame reception, and thanked him for giving us those good times. He's such a fine young man and I think, one day, may be the Hogs head coach. I can't think of a better one, or one more deserving.
But I was there, in beautiful Charlotte, in their new arena, with President Bill and Grant Hill's daddy and Digger and loads of celebs...watching that super talented team. I ran into Digger at halftime, the night before when we were beating Arizona, and he assured me the Hogs would win it all. His confidence helped me, too. He knew I was a Hog fan--the red rubber Hog nose on my face probably gave me away.
Yep, I wore the Hog nose back then...all over the south, and I cheered em til I had no voice left. I remember one painful night in Atlanta, just out of the hospital from my first knee surgery, when, after the game, we couldn't get a cab back to the hotel. .It was a very long three-mile walk, but I made it. I was so sore the next day, I could hardly get out of bed, but I had to be back courtside at 2 and I sure didn't wanna miss it. And I didn't...not ever...not even when my traveling buddies were reluctant to make the long trips, but I loved watching 'em...they were something in their prime...Lenzy Howell, Corliss, IBM. I watched 'em embarrass North Carolina to win the regionals at Dallas and I traveled from there to Denver for the 1990 Final Four. But nothing compared to Charlotte--I got to see the national champions and we celebrated with their great coach and the players and all the fans all night long, back at the hotel where we all stayed. Who could sleep? Who would ever forget it all. Man, I was lucky to see all of that. I'm a pretty lucky guy in a lot of other ways too and I thank the good lord ev-ah day.
The win over Georgia today got me to thinking...I wonder if we could get on one of those hot runs, like we did in Atlanta when Joe Johnson and Brandon Dean and the boys surprised everyone and won it all. Maybe...who knows? Oh well...
That's all for this time, til next time, thanks for your time.