ACC memories

I know that I can't complain about being too busy to blog when I spent the better part of last week at the ACC Tournament in Charlotte. However, that fun time was interspersed with campaign events and lots of debates, interviews, etc. leading up to it. So I'm back on track with my blogging and with a fairly quiet Easter weekend ahead, I plan to catch up.

The ACC Tournament has over the years been that special father/child event that the boys and I have looked forward to every year. Over the past several years as my youngest daughter has become a huge Carolina fan, the event has evolved from a "guys" adventure to a "sons and daughter" event. (Oldest daughter Kelly is the State grad in the family and is always welcome but with the down years for the Pack and two small children she hasn't joined the fun). Lest anyone think that I am a big money donor or on the freebie list for tickets, let me assure you that neither circumstance is true. I've ridden a friendship with a Florida State supporter all these years and bought tickets through him. I can do the Seminole chant if needed but rest assured I was pulling for the Tar Heels in Friday's match up with the Noles.

This years finale had a special significance for me as it marked the first time Clemson had been in the finals since 1962. That historic note from 46 years ago marked my first ACC Tournament. My Dad and I traveled to Raleigh from Hendersonville and had a simply wonderful time. We stayed in the Heart of Raleigh Motel which has since been torn down and is a state government parking lot next to the Governor's Mansion. We visited the General Assembly which was still meeting in the Capitol and I received an "Honorary Page" certificate from Lt. Governor Clyde Philpott (I think that's right).

Our seats in Reynolds Coliseum were on the last row in the "end zone" and trust me it was hard to see anything. But I remember Clemson's upset of Duke in the semi's lead by Jim Brennan but the Tigers fell in the finals to Wake Forest. My Dad died in 1985 and that 1962 trip was our only ACC Tournament together. However, every time I go with my kids it brings back a flood of wonderful memories from that special time with my Dad.

This year's tournament was great. (kudos's to Charlotte - and yes, I'll give the Mayor a hat tip even if I didn't ride the light rail). The Heels won. Duke lost. And it was great fun despite interspersing the games with campaign events in Burke County and a debate in Greensboro on Saturday night (causing me to miss Clemson defeating Duke). It was a veritable who's who of politics and sports as I constantly ran in to a variety of mainly big Dem's ranging from former Governor Hunt to Congressman Mel Watt. However, the BIG surprise was seeing Carmen Hooker Odom at the Tournament. If only the political press was working the event rather than sports reporters, maybe we could finally get some answers about the mental health debacle.

Anyway, despite a lot of driving, a lot of sitting, and a lot of spending money, it was a great 4 days. Wendi Amos, my star volunteer for the Mecklenburg area made Thursday night's games with me; the boys showed up on Friday, my law school buddy and long time friend John Corne made the Friday game; my daughter-in-law and in utero granddaughter to be made the games on Saturday; and on Sunday daughter Louise made the finals replete with her Poplar Bluff #50 Hansbrough jersey. And the Heels won. It was great.