That picture says it all. And while I understand the need for the caution which ultimately resulted in the postponement or cancellation of virtually all sporting events, and or seasons, it still doesn’t lessen the feeling of sadness and emptiness that I and millions of others feel. For some, sports are a casual enjoyment. Other use it for fitness. For some it is a job. For many, like myself, it is a passion. One thing is a usually common in all sports fans though, sports can be a distraction and an escape from day to day stresses. Of course it can also cause some stresses for the passionate fans as well.

On Wednesday March 11th, 2020 my wife and I loaded up in the morning and started the three hour drive north to Indianapolis to watch the Big10 Tournament (BTT). We had booked our hotel rooms last year and had our tickets in hand for what we hoped would be five exciting days of basketball. After spending some time with our oldest son who lives in Zionsville we headed to the hotel, and then on to Bankers Life Arena (BLA). Upon arriving at BLA it felt a little different than in years past. I couldn’t really pinpoint what it was so I just chalked it up to the nerves I was feeling heading into Indiana’s matchup with Nebraska.

A Hoosier win would be their 20th of the season and would almost assure them of an invitation to “dance” in the NCAA Tournament next week. A loss would make things dicey and even more nerve wracking come Selection Sunday than this game with Nebraska had. In my opinion Indiana is an NCAA Tournament caliber team. But I’m not in that board room and able to make an argument on their behalf, so in my mind, and many others, a win was a must.

Prior to the end of the 1st game between the Minnesota Golden Golpher’s and the Northwestern Wildcats I received a notification that the Thursday games in the Big10 Tournament would be played without fans. Teams, media, immediate family were basically all that would be allowed in the arena. Once it was announced at the arena, moans, groans, and boo’s spread throughout the place. I cover Indiana men’s basketball as a member of the media representing this website in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall during the regular season, but I had chosen not to try and secure a pass for the BTT due to just wanting to be a fan for a weekend. I immdiately reached out to some connections I have to possibly try to secure a late media credential, but to no avail. And as you well know, ultimately it wouldn’t matter.

After watching Indiana play well and give themselves that 20th win we headed back to the hotel. Throughout the night and well into the morning, more and more notifications came in about events being postponed or cancelled. While in Bloomington midday Thursday I made one final attempt at a media pass. While awaiting word from my last hope and planning on where to watch the game in case I couldn’t get a pass, the word came down that the BTT had been canceled. Anger was the first reaction. Disappointment soon followed. In the hours and days since that news, sadness has now crept in.

Now, understand what I mean by that. For all of you out there on social media that feel the need to tell everyone how they should feel, or how they should get their priorities straight, or anything else you are trying to tell them they are wrong about since their actions or words differ from yours, I’m disappointed and sad because when there is a crisis going on sports are my escape. I’m 99.9% certain that I’m not the only one either. I feel for the world right now. When words like pandemic are used, it makes me sit up and take notice. It makes me try to sort through the rubbish some spew and find the real facts to help educate myself.

Yes, I understand that I put myself in a situation that I could have possibly been exposed to this virus. And although I took every precaution that I could have without staying home, staying home would have been the only sure preventative measure I could have taken. As the hours of Thursday and Friday ticked away and more and more cancellations rolled in it became obvious that was what the people in charge were doing, taking preventative measures to better ensure people’s safety.

Are they trying to scare you? Maybe they are. But maybe they’re trying to do so because sometimes that is only the time people really listen, when they’re scared. I had concerns prior to leaving for Indianapolis, and those were heightened while I was there. Knowing now that you may not show symptoms for up to six days, those concerns are even more prevalent. And you know what would help take my mind off of it for a least just a little while? That’s right, SPORTS! I’d give just about anything to watch a basketball game right now so I didn’t have to hear Coronavirus over and over again.

Don’t take my feeling bad for guys like Indiana seniors Devonte Green and De’Ron Davis finally breaking through and getting the chance to play in the NCAA Tournament as me not caring, or me not having my priorities in order. This two have faced as much adversity in their four years in Bloomington as any two Hoosiers in recent memory. They refused to give up and although they won’t reap the fruits of their labor, I hope they take pride in the fact that they were important parts of the first Indiana team to make the NCAA Tournament since 2016. It wasn’t always easy and I’m sure both had thoughts of leaving at some point in their careers, but they didn’t, and for that very reason I think they taught the young players a thing or two about perseverance. There are many more examples like this across college basketball and the entire sports landscape. Penn State’s do-it-all senior forward Lamar Stevens being 7 points shy of becoming PSU all-time leading scorer when the tourney was cancelled just hours before the Penn State vs. Indiana game is one of them.

So once again, I understand why the decisions that were made, were made. I only ask that you understand that just because a lot of people are upset that the sports world has been put on hold doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t agree with it. It more than likely means that sports are just a big part of their lives. And many…MANY…of them need that distraction.

Do you part in taking care of yourselves. Check on your family, your friends, and your neighbors. Make sure they know what to do in case they are unsure. Ask if them if they need anything if you’re making a run to the store. Take all the precautions you can and help others do so as well. Understand that everyone has they’re own way of dealing with stressful situations, and right now, like it or not, some people’s way of dealing with stressful situations has been taken away from them. Rightfully so, but it’s still been taken away. AND, they shouldn’t be told that they’re being ridiculous for having such a large part of their lives removed. Yes, it may be a play on words but ‘MARCH SADNESS’ is a real thing to some…including myself.

Be safe my friends…be very safe!