It's Good to be a Gator

If there is a standard-bearer for success in the ranks of collegiate athletics, the mantle explicitly belongs to the Florida Gators. I mean, wow. If you're a Gator fan (which I'm sure their numbers have increased infinitely in a short amount of time, because let's face it...everybody loves a winner), then you're undoubtedly floating lightly on cloud nine.

I have never been one of those SportsCenter hacks, babbling about the most inane record or streak that some insignificant team has broken through to be aligned in the pantheon of meaningless statistics, but I am a college sports fan. I love the pageantry (even though that word is used all too frequently when describing our scholastic brethren), the rivalry, and the passion that athletes and fans alike subscribe to, and the carrying on of that passion to future generations. It is unrivaled, to me at least, in the "investment" of being a fan. The NFL, NBA, and MLB, are so mired in contractual disputes, and a feeling of ego-selfishness by players, coaches and team-owners alike, that it kind of takes the air out of the actual meaning of the game. While it is impressive to see Lebron James, or Peyton Manning will their respective teams to victory, it is equally, if not more impressive to watch someone like Jared "I think I might be white" Zabransky overcome insurmountable odds to deliver the big "W" to the seething fans of an underdog organization, bringing them the taste of victory that eludes them most of the time and is reserved for those programs who have an infinite amount of alumni support, and an over-flow of blue-chip recruits.

For the longest time, the SEC has arguably been the best football conference in the nation, and it's hard to dispute that point with the turn of events this past football season. Poor Auburn had to relegate themselves to second best, when no one gave them the nod in 2004 against USC. Not to say that they would've won, but what Florida did this year against Ohio State was proclaim loudly (what Auburn was not allowed) to the world that, "the SEC is fucking hard, and we dare you to try and have an umblemished record at the end of the season in this alignment...(looking at you USC)." Every year, the SEC produces a minimum of four national championship contenders and basically, their chances of being in the final game hinge simply on something like scheduling. Who has who at home. Non-conference games should not even be considered when dealing with an SEC team because of the brutality that the conference provides.

Being a huge, and bled-red Big 12 fan, I can always make a legitimate case as to why the Big 12 is the best conference. But mostly my argument lies in the "type" of play you find in the Big 12 being better than any other conference, because even I understand that the quality of teams is better in the SEC. Put Arkansas in the Big 12 this last year, and they would've played Ohio State in the national championship. Hell, put Kentucky in the North Division of the Big 12 this year and they probably would've won it.

So to see the gains that Florida has made, not only in football, and almost more importantly in basketball, is nothing short of amazing. In a year when Duke was bounced early, Kentucky couldn't secure over an 8 seed, and traditional powerhouse Kansas continued to exhibit it's streaky play (overwhelmingly underachieving), it's time for a new power in college basketball to step up to the throne. What's so amazing about Florida's repeat is that they are doing it in a time of mass exodus from underclassmen to reap the harvest of millions of dollars awaiting them in the NBA. They showed a graphic last night of all the teams who have repeated as national champions, and as monumental an achievement as it was in their time, the landscape of NCAA basketball has changed drastically in the matter of a few short years. Every one of Florida's starters returned specifically to repeat as national champs and they did just that. Corey Brewer, Al Horford, and Joakim Noah (who by the way, is ludicrous in interviews), all were first-day draft prospects after their title last year, but they stuck around with the goal of repeating and I have to applaud that.

There was a controversy surrounding the Final Four, that Billy Donovan (coach of the Gators) may leave for "greener pastures" at the University of Kentucky, the long-time traditional powerhouse of the SEC. Kentucky boasts the winningest record in NCAA basketball history, and recently let their head coach go after only 1 national championship, and only 4 Final Fours in nine seasons, prompting a search for the best replacement candidate. First of all, Billy Donovan would be a complete moron to leave for Kentucky.

Reason One: Florida has cornered the market on success in collegiate athletics which ultimately translates into more money. Success breeds success, and more importantly to school administrators, success on the field and court breeds success in the markeplace. Ticket sales rise, University-licensed materials see a spike in sales; it's a trickle down effect all because of the results of winning. So the money issue shouldn't be an issue. His contract can, and should be restructured to pay him anything that Kentucky would put on the table. It is also great timing what with the downfall of Florida's two biggest regional, athletic, and most importantly, recruiting competitors, Florida State and Miami. The state of Florida is buzzing over the Gators. I can't tell you how many "newfound" UT fans emerged from the woodwork after The University of Vince Young defeated USC. It seemed the whole state of Texas found themselves a new winner to latch onto in the public eye...and let's face it, they kind of deserved it and needed someone with a little more flavor of cool, especially with who we Texans have at the apex of world reknownment. *ahem...Mr. President your new opinion poll is in...you may want to sit down*

Reason Two: Kentucky has unrealistic goals, and an unrealistic fan base. I read an article where Tubby Smith (Kentucky's old coach) knew that it was time to move on. He was doing a radio show and a listener called in and had this to say, "Coach Smith, I just want you to know that I haven't given up on this team yet. I still believe we can right the ship this year." What was Kentucky's record at the time? 25-4. TWENTY FIVE AND FOUR!! RIGHT THE SHIP??? Seems pretty fucking righted to me. Whoever walks into Kentucky is walking into a buzzsaw. Of course, the money is good. Of course, the fans are supportive. Of course, the talent is the cream of the crop. But is it a better position than Florida right now??? Absolutely not.

I'm sure the whole state of Florida is just one big blue and orange orgy right now. I mean, UT only won it in football. Florida did it in basketball, football, and basketball again...CONSECUTIVELY. At this rate, Florida will be crowning tennis, track, baseball, and golf champions this year as well.

Not in my lifetime have I ever seen such widespread rise to dominance from one particular program, and it's a program that actually has risen in my lifetime. I think the whole University of Florida athletic world owes a great deal of debt to one Steve Spurrier. Before Spurrier, Florida was the wicked stepchild to Florida State and Miami, and perenniel also-rans in the SEC. Under Spurrier's direction, the program grew and were the most successful program in the SEC during his tenure...occassionally the University of Tennessee made a strong argument, but even record-wise...Spurrier owned Tennessee. With the rise of Spurrier's program, so did the brand name of the Gator's. In turn, the success of the football team spilled over into the rise of the basketball and baseball programs, who in the last ten years have seen their success-rate skyrocket. Florida's basketball team has risen to power within the last ten years, a relatively short time when you consider the dynasties of Kentucky, UCLA, and Bob Knight's Indiana teams, being capped by the last two national championships.

So here's to Steve Spurrier, for (pardon the pun) spurring the Florida Gators to athletic dominance.

But underlining this misprojected admiration of Spurrier, is the hope and faith that it brings in another similar, offensive-minded, spinster-wizard who is taking a certain football team to heights of success it hasn't reached in it's streaky existence...and my wishful hoping that the Florida dynamic is repeated somewhere on the South Plains of West Texas in the near future.

Here's to hoping.