The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Trojans' game against Purdue University, an early tango in the NCAA Tournament on St. Patrick's Day, was nothing short of magical.
We've all heard -- and read -- the story multiple times over: In a Big Dance matchup that still has us fans rubbing our eyes, the Trojans snatched away what looked to be a sure win for Purdue by eating into a 13-point disadvantage and defeating the Boilermakers 85-83 in double overtime, thanks to some well-aimed three-pointers.
Yes, I admit it. This UALR alumna felt like running and finding a hilltop somewhere and dishonoring the late Whitney Houston by attempting a full belt-out of one of her inspirational hits, "One Moment in Time."
The Trojans' visit to March Madness was shorter than any of us would have liked. Two days after beating Purdue, they fell to Iowa State, 78-61.
But my favorite moments came in seeing the reactions after the game. I'd vowed not to be just a fair-weather fan, and I had plenty of company.
"Trojan fans continue support after loss," trumpeted a headline on the video recap of a local TV news story. The fans interviewed were still fired up and optimistic.
Looking on Facebook, I was happy to see that others had apparently made the same promise. "Congrats to Iowa State," wrote one friend. "And, way to go Trojans on an amazing year! Ready for next season already. Proud of Little Rock."
"Thirty wins is a great accomplishment," a friend of the friend responded. "Proud of how they represented our community and state!" Better still, just as there was a pep rally to send the guys off, there was one to welcome them back.
UALR's ride was a reminder of some life lessons on which we can't meditate too many times.
• What may be improbable is not impossible. The lyrics to The Prince of Egypt movie theme co-sung by Houston come to mind: "There can be miracles when you believe/Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill/Who knows what miracles you can achieve/When you believe." It's good to always be ready to receive a miracle, infrequent though they may be.
• Taking joy in the accomplishments of those close to us is a pretty good way of avoiding wallowing in our own problems.
• Good, strong leadership makes a difference. Coach, teacher, troop leader, pastor ... a team, or group, will only be as good as the person at the helm. That person will be known by his fruits.
• Disappointments will come. Even when a team goes all the way to the national championship, it'll eventually have to face a loss.
• It's good to see the glass as half-full. Better yet, it's good to see the glass as entirely full, just of a different liquid. It may not be Dom Perignon, but that doesn't mean it's bad Champagne. The Trojans may have left the Big Dance early, but they also left as record-setting champions of their conference who, well, upset some basketball carts. People knew they'd been there.
• A related lesson: Winning isn't the only thing. We may not all be clutching the Oscars of our respective fields. But as long as we're making a positive difference and putting a smile on someone's face, we're winning.
• None of us should be fair-weather fans, whether of a sports team or of life itself. Our support should come for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health -- and all that good stuff.
• Even in a time when sports is so tarnished by scandals and bad behavior, its basic benefits can still shine. "Physical exercise is good for mind, body and spirit," according to the University of Missouri Health Care website, muhealth.org. "Furthermore, team sports are good for learning accountability, dedication and leadership, among many other traits. Putting it all together by playing a sport is a winning combination." And sports still have the ability to bring out the good in spectators.
See you next season, Trojans. Meanwhile, thanks for the lessons. Now, I think I'll go find that mountaintop and belt out "One Moment in Time" and "When You Believe."
One moment in email:
hwilliams@arkansasonline.com
Style on 03/27/2016