March Madness is not a new virus that is seeking to destroy mankind. Rather, it is the term used for the frenzy that accompanies the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and Championship. This year's tournament is highlighted by teams like Kansas, North Carolina, Memphis, UCLA, Texas, and Tennessee. One of these, or one of the other lower ranked teams in the tournament, all have a shot at being the 2008 Champion. They would join a list of some great teams from the past like UCLA, with its tremendous number of championships under Coach John Wooden; Duke, with its consistent return to the tournament year after year under Coach K; or a surprise team like North Carolina State in 1983 under Coach Jimmy Valvano.
Virginia, with two-time player of the year Ralph Samson, North Carolina, with All-Americans Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins, Georgetown, with All-American Patrick Ewing, and Houston, with Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon, all had the better claims to be the best in 1983. But North Carolina State played at an inspired level and ended the tournament as the Champion.
Jimmy Valvano, also known as Jimmy V, was the coach of the North Carolina State men's basketball team that won the 1983 NCAA Championship. He died in 1993 after a bout with cancer. It was during his battle with cancer that his name and legacy increased beyond the basketball arena. He spoke often to groups and individuals about life and about never giving up. His love for family, his zest for life, and his faith stand out in his speeches.
In 1993 he was awarded The Arthur Ashe Award at the Annual EPSY Awards. His speech is contained in this video. It is a word of encouragement to us today whether we fight a battle of physical or emotional health or live a life that is filled with struggles and stressful challenges. Basketball is an exciting game to watch. The 1983 NCAA Championship Game is still one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament. But Jimmy V's words offer encouragement that will last well past March Madness.
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