My Journey to the Final Four

USA Houston Final Four 2016

 

OMG. OHHHHH EMMM GEEE. Did that just happen? Did Syracuse (#10 seed) just beat Virginia (#1 seed) in the Elite Eight to go to the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four?

 

I can’t breathe.

 

I’ve always said that no matter where I am in the world, or what I am doing, I would drop everything to make it to another Final Four. Three years ago, I got a taste of the NCAA Men’s Basketball semi-finals experience in Atlanta, Georgia. Although ‘Cuse lost in 2013, the Final Four experience was so amazing, I entered the ticket lottery for the following year’s tournament – and won! Long story short, Syracuse didn’t make it to the Final Four in 2014 and neither did I. I then made a pact to myself to experience every Syracuse Final Four. Every single one. There is something to be said about seeing the color orange painted across a city that’s foreign to the lively Cuse mentality.

 

Fast forward to 2016, and the Orange are on fire in the NCAA tournament! Syracuse University actually sent BOTH their men and women’s basketball teams to the Final Four this year. I can’t believe it. What an incredible accomplishment.

 

Determined to do the Final Four right this time, I begin to search for tickets to the tournament online – no more of this last minute ticket scalping business like in Atlanta. Tickets purchased, flights confirmed, and hotel booked – I’m going to Houston, Texas!

 

USA Houston FF Airplane

Wheels up! Who said you can’t have a cocktail early in the morning? Forget “it’s five o’clock somewhere,” it’s nine in the morning and I’m pumped!

 

Nobody said this journey to the Final Four was going to be easy – I severely sprained my ankle jumping for joy after the triumphant Elite Eight game. Trust me – traveling with a handicap is difficult and people aren’t generally sympathetic. But there is nothing that will keep me from attending this Final Four, not even crutches and a cast.

 

They say “The Road Ends Here.” To me, the road is just beginning. The excitement of arriving to the land of the Final Four is indescribable. Having old friends and new friends around you supporting your beloved team is exhilarating. On the other hand, waiting in line for an hour for a beer at the tailgate area was far from fun. Shame on you, Houston.

 

USA Houston Final Four Airport

Upon arrival to Houston, Texas, this was the very first store I passed in George Bush International Airport. Go Cuse!

 

In my opinion, this year’s Final Four was ill planned and lacking a bit in the festivities area. After we waited a long and hot hour in the direct sun to get some cold beers, we were kicked out of the party area. It was shutting down. What? Doesn’t Houston realize some people are in town just for the experience and don’t attend the tournament? We wanted more brisket and beer! I don’t have interest to see game one of the Final Four. My group surely wasn’t the only group with the same idea because outside the area was Orange Nation – a massive impromptu gathering of Syracuse fans. I’m here for my friends and the Cuse experience.

 

USA Houston NRG Cuse Gathering

USA Houston FF Entering the Lot

Top: Just outside the gates from the pre-game party area, we were delighted to find a Cuse gathering. Bottom: Random Syracuse fans and I connect.

 

So we devised a new game plan: Find a liquor store and tailgate the parking lot in typical Syracuse fashion. Little did we know that this mission would introduce us to two new friends who ended up being the topic of conversation the entire weekend.

 

USA Houston Parking Lot Laughs

USA Houston FF Parking Lot

That’s a pretty sexy fanny-pack, huh? Before this event, I didn’t know who John and Curtis were. I have no idea how I lived my life without knowing these dudes. I met Raf while living in Amsterdam! Traveling unites us all. Sorry for the horrible quality of these photos, they are screenshots taken off my Snapchat!

 

Two cases of beer, a bottle of vodka, and (of course) a good ole bottle of Jack later it’s time for us to go watch the Syracuse vs. UNC national semifinal game. I don’t think we could be anymore pumped. We enter this massive stadium that’s built to house Houston’s NFL team and we are chanting at the top of our lungs “LET’S GO OR-ANGE!” There are Cuse banners everywhere.

 

I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

 

USA Houston Final Four Stadium

USA Houston FF Banners

Top: Syracuse Orange represented on NRG Stadium in Houston. Bottom: John proudly points to the Syracuse banners inside the stadium. Our fans were rowdy. Cuse was in the house.

 

Our seats are in section 603. Let me put it to you this way: nose bleed. Who cares? We are here. This is it. We are in Houston at the Final Four cheering on our team. In typical Orange fashion, we stood and clapped after tipoff until the very first points were on the board for our boys. An irate Villanova fan tells me “it’s time to sit down.” I turn around with a huge smile on my face and said, “No, sir. We sit down when we score. It could take the entire half if needed.” After the Syracuse Men’s Basketball team has some points on that scoreboard, my friend, Jamil, immediately takes action and disappears. He comes back shortly after locked and loaded with a ton of greasy, delicious American game time food. Despite no beers for sale inside NRG stadium, it was obvious to us that Syracuse fans had consumed the most alcohol and were the loudest in the stadium. We know how to get down.

 

USA Houston FF Seats

 

The game was heartbreaking to all the fellow Cuse fans and me. There was trouble sinking the ball against a strong UNC team. Right around the time there was two minutes left on the clock, I knew there was no return. What a season! What a feat to get to the Final Four as a ten seed. I’m proud of this team.

 

USA Houston The Pact

USA Houston Bud Light

Left: “The Pact” – we ALL solemnly swear to make it to EVERY Syracuse Final Four while we are alive. I’m glad to know others will be joining me forever. Right: After the game, Uber was surging like crazy, so we wandered into a random Holiday Inn bar. It was the only place we saw March Madness themed beer bottles. We loved them. They were orange. 🙂

 

Despite the loss, my crew decides to continue to paint the town orange and enjoy the last weekend of March Madness in Texas together and to go to the championship game on Monday. People proudly wore their orange gear all weekend. It was a sight to be seen. I even wore my Cuse gear to an upscale steakhouse – why not? We never actually ended up making it inside for the finals – our Monday was filled with corn hole, Hooters, Twin Peaks, parking lot festivities and one failed attempt to get into the game because someone dropped the “F” bomb near someone who worked at the gates. Shame on you again, Houston. Pathetic, I know, but this was not killing our vibe. The fiesta continued.

 

USA Houston Corn Hole

USA Houston Twin Peaks

Top: John, Jamil, Fabian, and Raf play corn hole at Front Porch near downtown Houston. We were lucky to have Raf – he recently moved to Houston so he recommended some awesome places. We never had anything bad to eat. Thanks, Raf! Bottom: Twin Peaks was awesome. “I was there, too.” – John

 

These moments are everything I live for. Traveling brings people together in a way I can’t explain. I know, once again, I’ve made some friends for life. Thanks for the experience and the awesome tournament, Syracuse. Thanks friends for rocking my world one second at a time. It’s been my pleasure to represent Syracuse with you. We didn’t lose at all – in fact, we won. My heart is filled with so many new friends. What a weekend!

 

USA Houston FF Grocery Cart

The guys put me in a grocery cart – it was easier to get me around. Crutches aren’t fun, and they sure are painful!

 

I’ll never stop bleeding orange. Until next time – Go Cuse.

 

USA Houston FF Cuse Hotel

During the weekend, I stopped by the Syracuse hotel. Orange was everywhere – but they were sold out of most Final Four shirts. Luckily, Raf knew where to take me for some merchandise.

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