THE NCAA TOURNAMENT IS GREAT FUN AND A WAY TO GET EVERYONE TALKING-CHEERING AND TAKING SIDES. I WAS VISITING A CHURCH OVER THE WEEKEND AND AFTER CHURCH, OVER DANISH AND COFFEE, I SAT WITH PARISHIONERS WHO HAD WATCHED A BUZZER BEATER AND THEY WERE LAUGHING AND GIVING ME AN ENTIRE PLAY BY PLAY.

THEN, TODAY, FRIDAY  MARCH 20TH, I INTERVIEWED A REPRESENTATIVE FROM SIENA COLLEGE WHICH IS PLAYING IN THE FIRST ROUND TONIGHT AGAINST OHIO. SHE WAS REMARKING ABOUT HOW EXCITING IT WAS AND HOW THE GAME WILL GIVE THE SCHOOL NATIONAL EXPOSURE. IT SEEMS EVERYONE WANTS TO BE PART OF MARCH MADNESS.  IT TAKES OUR MINDS OFF THE ECONOMY IF ONLY FOR A MOMENT-LET'S US YELL AND SCREAM

 WHY ARE YOU GOING WITH THE SCHOOL YOU'RE ROOTING FOR? THE REASONS VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON. FOR SOME-IT IS THEIR ALMA MATA. FOR OTHERS- ITS THE SCHOOL THEY ALWAYS WANTED TO ATTEND. STILL FOR OTHERS, THE TEAM IS CONSIDERED AN UNDERDOG OR A TOP DOG- WHO KNOWS-WHO CARES.

I WANT SIENA TO WIN TONIGHT BECAUSE I LIVE IN THE AREA AND WANT TO ROOT FOR THE TEAM. BUT I COME FROM MISSOURI- SO I ALSO WANT TO SEE MISSOURI PLAY CORNELL-AND MISSOURI BEAT CORNELL. HEY-SCHOOLS DO MORE THAN EDUCATE US-THEY BRING A COMMUNITY TOGETHER.  IT'S WILD-IT'S WACKY- IT'S MARCH MADNESS BABY!

ELAINE