Ryan ChartrandThere were a few combining factors this past week that were the inspiration for this particular column.
As I near graduation this spring, I have been contemplating “bucket lists” in honor of the worst movie starring two of the greatest living actors. But rather than do something constructive and compile a list of things to do before I get out of school or map out career goals, I instead chose something near and dear to my heart: the top 10 sports events I would like to be a part of.
It’s true I may have peaked a bit too early, like a 14-year-old Danny Almonte throwing a perfect game in the Little League World Series. I say this because I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the Boise State-Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl last year. (Played in the same stadium as the Super Bowl this year.)
Those memories, combined with how cool it would be to attend the Super Bowl, got the ball rolling for my list. Interestingly enough, after the dust cleared, the holiest day in American sports didn’t make my personal cut.
Other events that didn’t make my list, but deserve at least an honorable mention include: the World Series, the Masters, playing in the World Series of Poker, a Duke-UNC basketball game, a visit to Lambeau Field, the Wimbledon Final, the NBA All-Star Game (assuming it’s in Las Vegas) and the College Baseball World Series.
So, without further ado, here are the top 10 sporting events to experience before you check out for good:
10) The Olympics – There is nothing quite like athletes representing their countries. It usually provides inspirational stories and intense competitions. I’m grouping the summer and winter Olympics as one event, basically because it’s my list and I can.
Highlights would include the track and field events as well as the gold medal hockey game, in part due to the mystique of the “Miracle on Ice.”
9) The Pipeline Masters – Nothing is as awe-inspiring as the power of nature. Add men and women conquering the massive waves and making it look easy, and this offbeat pick was a no-brainer. Oahu, Hawaii, plus bikinis. Need I say more?
8) The three traditional halls of fame – Trips to Cooperstown, Canton and Springfield are pilgrimages any true sports fan interested in the history of the game has to make at some point.
I love museums as is, so I can’t imagine how long it would take to get my fill in each respective hall.
7) The Ryder Cup – I was committed to only choosing one golfing event for the list, and the beauty of Augusta and the Masters almost swayed me. However, combine the patriotic themes of No. 10 and the chance to beat those stinky Europeans, and that’s a formula that can’t be beat.
I’m qualifying this decision by saying that the outcome would be dramatic and that both Tiger and Phil play. (Again, it’s my list, so things work out how I want them to.)
6) College football rivalries – All right, all right, I’m guilty of being a wimp here. Without threatening my family, I don’t think I can pick between all the bitter rivalries so my solution would be to make a fall of it, and hit all the historic match-ups.
This would include, but not be limited to: Michigan-Ohio State, Texas-Oklahoma, Alabama-Auburn, Notre Dame-USC and Cal-Stanford.
5) The Final Four – A college atmosphere, four teams vying for a national championship and a whole weekend to party before the big game on Monday.
The first-and- second-round upsets that make this tournament special are history, but it only contributes to the build-up that makes the Final Four a must-see event. That this event only cracks the top five shows the strength of my list.
4) The Kentucky Derby – I was sold on this event last summer when I saw spectators gathered around one of those inflatable pools that belong in front yards with overgrown weeds. What is so great about that, you ask? The pool was full to the brim with cans of beer.
While I know very little about horse racing, the spectacle of the moment and the chance to swipe one of those ridiculous hats proved too tempting to pass up.
3) Running with the bulls – The top three kicks off with an event I would be participating in, rather than just watching. Pamplona goes off for a nine-day festival and the adrenaline rush has to be second to none.
The way I see it, I have a 10-year window where my physical ability (although lacking) still will be able to see me through safely without risk of a serious or fatal injury that would jeopardize the future of any hypothetical children I may have.
2) The World Cup – I hope to have this crossed off the list by 2010 with a trip to South Africa. Little else needs to be said about the biggest sporting event in the world besides that throughout the globe, when teams play, their respective countries shut down.
If you still have not embraced the world’s game, I encourage you to find your inner-hooligan. It’s hard to duplicate the passion soccer stirs up internationally. This is evident in comparing our uninspired cheers of “DE-FENSE” and “CHARGE!!!” to crowds of more than 60,000 singing fans chanting as one.
And now, priority No. 1 on sporting events to take in before reaching the finish line, biting the dust, buying the farm, handing in the chips or any of the other crazy metaphors for death:
1) Visiting all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums – This fabled trip has lasted one epic summer for some and stretched across a lifetime for others, but the fraternity of people to achieve it would be one I would be proud to join. It takes commitment, dedication and perseverance.
Seeing the stadiums and games would be worth the cost by itself, but it also is a great way to see the entire country. Luckily enough, I have already visited two of the holy trinity of baseball stadiums (Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park), leaving Boston as the only destination left.
For anyone interested in completing this journey, the Yankees are moving to a new stadium in 2009, so if you haven’t yet visited the “house that Ruth built,” you’ve almost missed your chance.
Kory Harbeck is a journalism senior and a Mustang Daily sports columnist.