It was a Monday, probably around 5 pm, and we were having dinner in Cowan (Centre College). I was a sophomore that spring. The weather was perfect. While we were eating, our conversation was dominated by what would become a landmark event.
The NCAA National Championship Game was going to be played at Rupp that evening(April 1, 1985). Patrick Ewing, Coach John Thompson & the heavily favored Hoyas of Georgetown were going to take on the Villanova Wildcats, led by Coach Rollie Massimino & Ed Pickney.
As the conversation continues, it just seems incredible to us that the game is going to be played less than 40 miles from where we are sitting. I look at my good friend, Chris Bowling, and say, in so many words, "If we had any 'guts", we would jump in the car, drive up there, find a way to get tickets, and watch that game!"
That statement from a 19 year old male, pretty much guarantees, "We are going to Lexington!"
We sprint out of there and make arrangements to get to Lexington. Our quest for tickets is primarily in the outside area in front of and between Rupp & the Hyatt. The weather was great, the sun was shining, and the atmosphere was over the top.
Finally, it looks like we may have found some tickets. 2 seats on the FRONT row of upper arena! We begin negotiations to purchase these tickets. We are in the ball park, but the sellers think they can get more money than Chris and I have with us. We hang in there. We sort of didn't have a choice. All we had was what we had. And, for this event, we didn't have much.
These sellers are getting edgy. They are not getting what they thought they could get or what they wanted. And, we all had to be careful because scalping tickets was illegal. It was exciting, stressful and a test of nerves. Strangely, it sort of felt like playing quarterback on a Friday night! It was chaotic, and I was having a blast.
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| Every time I am in the Hyatt, I remember that night in 1985 |
Finally, maybe a minute before tip off, we reach an agreement. $50 each! What a phenomenal reward for hanging tough up to the bitter end. To complete the transaction, we go into the restroom of the Hyatt. It is wall to wall with people doing ticket transactions. We hand the guy our money. He barely looks at it. He hands me our purchase. I am just praying that I am really buying a ticket. When I finally get out in to the open, it really is a ticket for the front row of upper arena! We are going to the game!
We sprint to our seats and get there right as it starts. We saw an incredible basketball game. Villanova had to play virtually perfect to have a chance. They did that. Georgetown played well and they never went away. In the final minute, the outcome was still in question. Could Villanova really continue to play the perfect game? Or, surely, Patrick Ewing and Georgetown were finally going to take the lead and win. How could they not win??
It turned out to be one of the biggest college basketball upsets ever. It was also an exceptionally well played game by both teams. That alone would make it historic. But, it was also the last college basketball game played without a shot clock. I really don't think Villanova wins that game with a shot clock.
Our seats. Front row, upper arena. Perfect view. Wow!!
The next time a big opportunity presents itself, it might be worth it to gather up your "guts" and go for it. No question, April 1st, 1985, sitting in Cowan, we absolutely made the BEST decision.
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