5 years of UPs and DOWNs

Five years ago, I was a senior in high school and highly anticipating my departure to school. I had made the important life-decision to attend the University of Alabama. Now, as I reach home stretch of my senior year in Tuscaloosa, I look back at what it was like five years ago and am amused at what all has taken place.

My senior year of high school the Auburn football team went undefeated but did not receive a bid to the BCS National Championship game. Being a 'Bama girl now this is hilarious to me, but more so aggravating because if you go undefeated in the Southeastern Conference then you deserve a damn chance to play in the big game.

My senior year of high school the Carolina basketball team won the NCAA title in St. Louis, Missouri after they defeated Illinois 75-70. Being born a Tar Heel this is ranked as one of the top 10 best days of my life.

My senior year of high school I could easily run 6-8 miles a day. I was genuinely tired one Saturday when the cross-country team ran a 13 mile trail run as part of a fundraiser and then I started and played every minute of two club soccer games in a round-robin tournament.

My senior year of high school the Alabama football team went 6-6 and lost to Minnesota (wtf?) in the Music City Bowl.

My freshmen year of college the Carolina basketball team was blessed with Tyler Hansbrough and he was the key to the rebuilding year.

My freshmen year of college the Auburn football team became my biggest enemy when I felt the painful sting of losing to them in the Iron Bowl.

My freshmen year of college the Alabama football team won the first 9 games of the regular season and reached a ranking as high as No. 3 in the polls, then lost to LSU and Auburn before winning the Cotton Bowl against Texas Tech.

My sophomore year of college the Carolina basketball team was many people's national champion pick in their bracketology polls. Georgetown rained on our parade in overtime of the Sweet 16 game.

My sophomore year of college the Auburn football team beat Alabama... again.

My sophomore year of college the Alabama football team went 6-7 and Mike Shula was a goner. Usually, I would hate the fact that the NCAA vacated all six wins (appeal pending) but I guess if any season could be erased from the books, I'd want it to be this torturous one.

My junior year of college the Carolina basketball team was jam-packed with talent. Some say this team had as much talent as the famous 1982 and 2005 teams. All four No. 1 seeds in the tournament made it to the Final Four for the first time in history. Roy Williams suffered delirious confusion when he attempted to coach the Heels in the semi-final game against his former Kansas Jayhawks. In a nutshell, he must have forgot which team he was coaching and decided to let the game go to hell in a handbasket.

My junior year of college I feared that the loss to Kansas would mean Tyler Hansbrough would go into the NBA draft a year early and not stay for his senior year. Fear not, though.

My junior year of college the Auburn football team beat us... again.

My junior year of college the Alabama football world became Sabanation. The 2007 ("two thousand Saban") season started off with a strong and hopeful 6-2 record but ended with losses in 4 of the last 5 games.

My junior year of college St. Nicholas assembled one badass recruiting class.

My senior year of college the Carolina basketball team won the NCAA title in Detroit, Michigan and did so in hardcore style. Defeating all the opponents they faced in their bracket by more than 12 points. This, too, is one of the Top 10 days of my life.

My senior year of college the Auburn football team did NOT beat us. Excuse my language, but there is no other way to put this, we beat the shit out of them. 36-0. Tommy Tubberville got fired. (Begin singing Blondie's "The tide is high and I'm holding on, I'm gonna be your number one...")

My senior year of college the Alabama football team went undefeated in the regular season and held the No. 1 ranking going in to the SEC Championship game against UF. We got beat by Florida and by Utah in the Sugar Bowl, but we were just getting warmed up.

My senior year of college St. Nicholas assembled another badass recruiting class. Being as half of the SEC fired their coaches because of us, this was understandable. Bye Bye Fat Phil, Sylvester Croom, Tommy Tubberville! Oh, and you too over there in the ACC, Tommy Bowden!

My fifth year of college the Carolina basketball team was one giant flop! Posting the second worst record in school history (yikes! It is sad to think there has been a worst, but 8-20 in 2002 is, in fact, crappy!) and not making the 64 team tournament that they absolutely demolished only a year ago.

My fifth year of college the Auburn football team did NOT beat us... again.

My fifth year of college the Alabama football team went undefeated in the regular season for the second consecutive year. The Alabama football team also went undefeated in the post season, as well. (Begin singing "Rammer Jammer" and alternate using Hey Gators! and Hey Longhorns! It's so fun.)

My fifth year of college I would die if I had to run 6-8 miles a week, not a day. I'd be in a coma if I had to play 2 soccer games after I ran 13 miles on a trail. I'm out of breathe when I walk up and down the stairs of my house.

Five years gone by and I'm fortunate to have experienced all of the many fun tailgates, many days without a voice, many tears (more so in the wake of a win rather than a loss), and many wonderful times in this remarkable journey.

"I ain't ever been nothing but a winner." -Paul W. Bryant word.

As always, Go Heels & Roll Tide! (And Go to hell Aubs!)
BJJ