Sure, I had to look over two rows of people in front of me. And I had to look past the same coolers that blocked Dick Baddour’s view (You’d think the UNC athletic director could get a better seat. But it beats the seats we shared for the March 1st game in Atlanta. Back row on the top of the arena in at Georgia Tech.)

The NCAA cleared out the front row of seats for “overflow” media. That meant I got to sit in the front row of the Carolina section with families of the UNC players. In the second half, the seats shook as moms, dads, brothers and sisters screamed, pounded, begged and willed the Tar Heels to their biggest comeback of the season. What a great reminder that those people in uniform really are human beings. Sons living out their dreams. Dreams that their families desperately want to continue. I also heard players’ full names more than I ever have before. Moms do that when they want their children to pay attention above 19,000 other fans.

Friday I got to rest my feet on the boards used for New Jersey Devils hockey games. Today, I get to sit about 2 ½ feet in front of the Carolina band. I’ll be deaf tomorrow, but I’m not so sure I’ll care.