When I was growing up I took part in the rich tradition of high school basketball in Maine. Traveling up and down the Maine Turnpike during the campaign trail, I am reminded of the many bus rides, bouncing along with hoops hope of Augusta glory.
If you are a basketball fan you’ll recall Jimmy Valvano. Jimmy Valvano lead the 1983 NC State Wolfpack to an improbable victory over the much balley-hooed University of Houston, which at the time featured All-American and future NBA star Hakeem Olajuwan. NC State, in stark contrast, was a merry band of no-names. NC State won on a remarkable last second play, which featured an airball that missed from way outside, and was caught and dunked by Lorenzo Charles for the game-winning basket.
Jimmy V was immortalized not for the stunning upset victory as much as for running back and forth across the court in disbelief, looking for someone to hug. If for only a moment, sport had become life as many were reminded of who we can be with passion and belief.
A few years later, Valvano was diagnosed with a life threatening form of cancer. Jimmy V approached the illness as he did sport and life. In one of the most memorable moments of sports, Jimmy V delivered a moving speech in which he reminds us of the unconquerable nature of the human soul. I quote part of it here: “To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.”
So, as we send our boys and girls off to the gyms, into the many Christmas tournaments that will ultimately culminate in our shared tradition of the Boys and Girls State Basketball Tournaments, as we pack the Civic Centers of Bangor, Augusta and Portland, recall the words and images of Jimmy V, viewable here. Remember that sport is great because its LIKE life. It reminds us of excellence and who we can become as individuals and people if we try.
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