The Tribal Meeting

The parking lot was full. And there was a snake-like line of people at the door anxiously waiting to get in. We walked right in. We looked for a table with little Jayhawks on people’s shirts. We found one. They recognized my Jayhawk hat, my Jayhawk shirt and the faux-diamond laden Jayhawk shirt that my wife had on. We all exchanged secret Jayhawk talk. We all felt good knowing we were a part of something bigger than the economy, bigger than the administration and bigger than ourselves. We were Jayhawks. It was our tribe.

Other Jayhawks, said, “Grab a chair, squeeze in we can make room.” That is an example of college hoops week. It is mad. No room for Missouri tigers, but plenty of room for Jayhawks. College discrimination seating practiced here, but even Rosa Parks would have understood and not have objected.

In no other month of the year, in no other circumstance could we have walked into that restaurant and got a seat with 15 people we did not know only joined at the mindset by the Jayhawk icon. An icon by the way that few people even agree on its origin, but no one disagrees on its emotional impact. Go Jayhawks, we all say together. Let’s wave the wheat. Let’s sing the song. Is it merely a longing for the good old college days? It must be more than that. Because most of the people at my table were big Jayhawk fans, but never went to KU. They had ties through children or friends or distant relatives. But it was still go Jayhawks.

As the game progressed we all became best friends. Where are you from? Who do you know? Who is your favorite player? “I know someone who dated Collins.” “Cole Aldrich was at dinner with my best friend’s cousin’s daughter.” And so on. The conversation continued until as we all expected KU dominated the game. A big Jayhawk cheer. We all promised to see the next game together and the first 2010 March tribal meeting of Jayhawk fans was over. We were, as the score absolutely affirmed, members of the best tribe. We had won the contest. The success of our tribe had rubbed on off us and we felt good about it.

There will be at least 5 more tribal meetings. We hope. For it is the NCAA tournament. And it is literally March madness. But it is a good madness in my life. Is it in yours?