Audge

There are few things in this world that have the ability to get my heart racing. Few things can get me emotionally high strung. Few things can bring out a side of me that otherwise stays relatively hidden.

BYU sports is one of those few things.

Some may think my desire to go to BYU came from a desire to be immensely educated and surrounded by a good environment. And you would be right. But not completely. The first reason I ever wanted to come here was so I could be in the student section at sporting events. I remember at the ripe old age of 5 or 6, I was watching a BYU football game with my parents and thinking that all I wanted to do was go cheer at the game and go to BYU. That was all I wanted.

Nothing has been more memorable.

So in honor of it being my last week of home basketball games as a senior, it's time to reflect on some of my favorite moments. We'll start with basketball.

1. Jimmer. Nothing could have started out my freshman year better then to witness possibly one of the best basketball teams BYU has ever seen. Jackson and Jimmer. It was pure magic. I sound ridiculous, but if you were there, you understand. It was crazy. The whole season was a thrill, but I'm going to narrow it down to a few of my favorites.

First, when Jimmer hit that half court shot when we played (and cremated) up at Utah. He just nailed it. Best part? When he turned around and just walked away as if nothing cosmic had just happened. OH. Man I can still remember literally running around the room while watching that happen.

Next. San Diego State. January 26, 2011. It was the game of all games. The #9 team (BYU) and the #4 team (SDSU) were going head to head. The media was going crazy. The entire country was talking about it. ESPN had their eyes fixed on Provo. Everyone said we would lose; that we didn't have the same stamina that SDSU had. As students, it was a week long process to get us into that game. They used a wristband system that we had to stand out in a blizzard for two hours to get. Even with the wristband, you weren't guaranteed a seat. Camping out for a spot. Hours of waiting in the cold. All to watch our team become heroes. We were not disappointed. Jimmer and the crew decimated the favorite. Jimmer tallied 43 points for the first time and showed the country that he was everything they hyped about. The feeling inside that Marriott Center that night was absolutely electric. I cannot adequately describe to you what it was like. Once in a lifetime experience. I'll never forget it.

That newspaper following the game was on my wall for the rest of the year.

For our final basketball game of that year, the student section put together a little surprise for the audience and team. One of the best and most epic flash mobs I've ever seen. It was a tribute to our dedication and complete BYU spirit. Okay, that's kinda cheesy....but it was great.


I could go on and on about Jimmer. He and Jackson Emery were our LIFE that year. It was an experience and event I will never forget.

2. The Craig Cusick game winning shot against Utah State last year. First, you have to understand that my friends and I have a particular love and bond for Craig. He was an underdog who played hard and earned a starting spot. Plus, his name is awesome. So he had a lot going for him in our book.
Beating Utah State is a GREAT thing. But for some reason, they take it a lot more seriously then we do. It's probably because we're BYU and everyone hates us for no legitimate reason. But, c'est la vie. ANYWAYS. It was another packed Marriott Center. 0.2 seconds left. We had the ball. The shot goes up, misses, and then Craig comes out of NOWHERE to sink the rebound in the hoop, followed by the deafening roar of the crowd. Truly a moment I will never forget.

3. Most recently, the double beating of St. Mary's has been some icing on top of my senior year cake. For 3 years we have lost to them. Six games that we have given up to this team. Not to mention their former bad-hair-day-everyday guy (I'll keep him unnamed, but for story purposes let's call him Matt D. or M. Dellavedova). They stole our game last year. But no longer. The drought is gone. With the combined efforts of the team, but primarily Tyler (Haws) and Kyle (Collinsworth), we smoked them the first time, and then stole the game from them the second time around. My boys pulled it off. And it feels so good.

Basketball games are a joy and a complete thrill for me. The excitement leading up to the game. The jam packed electricity of the Marriott Center. The Whoosh Cecil. Knowing half the players from high school. The giant sheet drop down pre-game ritual. Jimmer. Jackson. The passion. It will all live on, forever.

Stay Tuned: Football highlights will come later this week....