March Mayhem

March. March Mayhem. Not just March Madness - it's downright March Mayhem!

Why so? It's one of my favorite months of the year - and that has it's roots in the '70s and '80s. Ahhh the early days ...

For a sports fan like myself, it's THE best time of year. As a college basketball fan, it's time for March Madness. I've been following college basketball since high school - that's a lot of Final Fours! My first Final Four memory is 1981's final between Indiana and North Carolina.

After Saturday's game against Kansas, the University of Texas heads to the Big 12 conference tournament and then (hopefully) on to the NCAA tournament. It's time for the round of 64, the Big Dance - two 4-day weekends of basketball, then the semifinals and final on Monday April 6. Rarely do I schedule a TV event months in advance - but this is one that goes on the calendar ASAP!

March also brings the start of the Formula One season. I've been following Formula One even longer than college hoops!

Many people don't understand my interest in auto racing - but this isn't just ANY auto racing. First of all, it's definitely not NASCAR! This is the best in the world. The best technology. The best drivers. A global series that lasts until November. The real deal. This year, the season starts on March 29 in Australia.

When I was a kid, I was fortunate to have seen the U.S. and Canadian Grands Prix annually from 1972 through1980. The Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport Park on September 24, 1972 was my first - watching Jackie Stewart win, and getting an autographed 8" x 10" glossy in the process! And yes, I still have it somewhere in my archives. 

March is a great sports month for me. And, oh, by the way, the time change is upon us this weekend!

Not everyone loves March. The one day in March that many remember from their high school days is the Ides of March - March 15. This always reminds me of one of the few books I read in English class that I truly enjoyed - "Julius Caesar". But poor 'ole Julius Caesar - the Ides of March was his downfall. Apparently Caesar wasn't a college basketball fan, though he might have been a Ferrari fan, living in Rome and all, but we may never know for sure.