So, on Saturday, my college career will be coming to an end, and thus my short-lived Odyssey tenure. Over the past week, I have been reminiscing over some of the greatest moments while I have been in college. Since I am a HUGE sports fan, it only makes sense to look back on some of the greatest sports happenings while I have been in college.
10. Feb. 15, 2014 - TJ Oshie Single-Handedly Beating Russia.
Take that you commies! TJ Oshie put the entire United States of America on his back in one of our program's best international games. There is always a little special kick when we beat Russia in anything, especially hockey.
9. Sept. 25, 2014 - Derek Jeter's Exhilarating Walk-Off.
So cliché, so incredibly Derek Jeter-esque cliche that it makes my stomach sick. As an Orioles fan, I hated this game. Sure it didn't mean anything, the Orioles were in the playoffs, the Yankees were not. But I have to tip my cap off to Derek Jeter. One of the greatest players to ever step foot on a baseball diamond, a player that everyone my age grew up with, it only makes sense that he strikes the game winning hit in his final plate appearance at Yankee Stadium. Now, some might be wondering why I didn't put Kobe's memorable last game and here's why: the Lakers might have been the most abysmal team in the NBA this year and Kobe was horrendous up until that game.
8. June 18, 2013 - Game Six of the NBA Finals.
Thank Lebron's heavenly stars above that the Heat signed one of the greatest three-point shooters that off season. That comeback, capped off with Ray Allen's unbelievable three to tie the game and keep the Heat in the series, was amazing. I think the funniest part about this game and what people will remember the most, are the unfaithful Heat fans that left the game early and wanted to come back in for overtime. A pure lol moment right there.
7. Feb. 1, 2015 - Super Bowl XLIX.
This one stings, and I apologize for the 95 percent of this world that despises the New England Patriots, but this was a great game. I think the Seahawks lost this game more than the Patriots won, but that is just an opinion. However, this game kind of solidified Tom Brady's spot as the greatest quarterback of all time. As much as you hate the guy, and admit you hate him because he is good, you have to be appreciative of seeing the greatest perform.
6. June 24, 2013 - Game Six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals.
HAH! Take that Boston fans! Just when I was giving you guys a pat on the back, I couldn't resist but give you a swift kick to the groin. But what a game! Sure, you could use the argument before that the Bruins lost this series more than the Blackhawks won, but that is just how playoff hockey works. 2 goals in 17 seconds? Smh.
5. April 13, 2016 - Warriors Beat the Chicago Bulls' Single Season Wins Record
I love when records are set (see below) and I love when we experience once in a lifetime records (see below, probably). It was so fun to watch the Warriors this past season. I hate them, but that is just because they are so good. On top of the Warriors amazing season, we also saw they maturation of Steph Curry into one of the best shooters of all time. It is crazy, he is actually better than his video game player. I have never watched a basketball player and thought to myself "he could definitely make it from wherever he is on the court."
4. June 6, 2015 - American Pharaoh Wins the Triple Crown.
Absolutely incredible. My mom is a big horse person and this is how she described to me the intensity of winning the Triple Crown: Making a horse run that fast, in such a short period of time is almost the equivalent of asking an NFL player to play 16 games in 16 days and expect to win every game. Truly a historical sports moment, that we probably won't see again for decades (sorry, Nyquist). Not to mention the fact that the Belmont is a significantly longer track than Churchill and Preakness.
3. May 7, 2016 - The Entirety of the Leicester City EPL Season.
I love a good ole underdog here and there, but underdog does not even do justice to describe Leicester City's incredible season. A team that usually goes in and out of regulation was a 5000-1 odds to win the Premiere League this year. 5000-1! Let's put this into perspective: the Cleveland Browns, who might be head and shoulders the worst team in the NFL, are at a 150-1 odds to win the Super Bowl this year. Yeah, let that one sink in.
2. November 30, 2013 - The 78th Iron Bowl.
The Kick Six is one of those moments in your life that you remember exactly where you were when you saw it. Well, let me tell you where I watched Auburn rip the hearts out of the Crimson Tide: I was in a Dairy Queen in Mount Vernon, Ohio. As I was munching on my Blizzard, I watched Chris Davis return one of the most memorable kick returns in football history. It really took a couple of hours for that play to wrap around in my head, and I still get chills when I watch it to this day.
1. April 4, 2016 - The NCAA Basketball Championship.
Holy cow, what a game. This might have been the best basketball game I have ever seen. I believe that the NCAA Tournament is the single greatest yearly sports event, and this years was the best one in my recent memory. Usually, by the end of the tournament, all of the teams are gassed out and we are left for a mediocre championship. But this year was different, and we received the most exhilarating buzzer beater ever.