Heel Yes!

First and foremost, I will always be a Michigan Wolverine. That will never, ever change.

However, living in ACC Country, in the Triangle area of North Carolina, I have been forced to choose a side. Down here, I cheer for the UNC Tarheels! And I do so proudly. I would have been a Tarheel if I wasn't a Wolverine (it was my second choice).

That being said, a couple of weeks ago when UNC won the championship, I had to be a part of the madness. (PS, living in NC I now know why they call it March Madness). I watched all of the tournament games UNC played in. I wore my UNC Fan Shirt each and everytime.

On the day of the championship game, I went with my roommate, Laura, and our good friend, Rachel, to see the game in the Dean Dome in Chapel Hill. It was packed and the played the game on the big screens and a projector. It was awesome.

I was also talked into going to Franklin Street after the game (not really talked into, I would have gone- I love being in the middle of things). But here is the thing to know... UNC riots after winning the championship- bonfires where people jump over everything. As we walked, the crowd definitely caved in... I understand for the first time in my life how people can get trampled. I was with five other girls and we could barely move, let alone stay in a straight line to make sure we stayed together. And the police... no help! They just pushed back into the crowd. Oh well- I survived and so did all of my major organs (although they may have been permanently smooshed) and I am glad I experienced it.

Here are a couple of pics for you:

This was the set up- notice the huge scree in the middle of the gym and then how each big screen had the game playing. Nice set up- better than any sports bar! :-)

The picture on the left is right after we won- notice how full of joy and excitement Rachel is. The one in the middle is of Rachel, Laura and Lindsey, some of the girls I watched the game with. And finally, the one on the right is of Laura and Rachel and I on Franklin Street- before we entered the madness. Still glad I went!

PS- from Real Simple: 1.2 billion- the estimated dollar amount employers nationwide could lose in productivity during the NCAA men's basketball tournament, as employess direct their attention to filling out the perfect bracket. Well, I know that my office lost some productivity from me. And did you know that many places here in NC will set up TVs for workers to go and watch the game on? Not even kidding! So, not surprised they lose that kind of money on the tournament.