Basketball Season Is Over---Mixed Feelings

My 17th basketball season as a sportscaster has come to an end.  I am not sure how to feel about this.  Usually I am very happy that the season is over.  I get to be home more with my wife and family.  She is such an understanding lady living as a basketball widow all winter.  I don't have to get out in freezing weather and drive to "wherever" for games.  I will probably not get texts, tweets, emails, smoke signals or carrier pigeons from people who are upset because I did this game or that one or picked this team or that one.  I will get more rest, which I need these days.  That's all good!  But I also won't get the opportunity to see some great people that have been a part of my life for the past several months.  Coaches, players, fans, cheerleaders, broadcasters, etc.

Lately I have thought a great deal about what I do and why I do it.  I am truly blessed to be able to work with some wonderful people and promote some great student athletes.  That is who I do what I do for.  I was also recently shown the realization that we are not guaranteed our next game.  Wednesday night at this year's Sweet 16 I sat and talked to my friend Ira Combs for over an hour.  When he left, he said, "I'll see ya Friday Timbo, I am going to Louisville tomorrow."  I didn't see Ira Friday, he died in the Yum Center Thursday morning.  I have no idea if God will give me another season or not.  So I want to thank everyone who made this past season an awesome one.  Late in the year I decided to grab as many pictures as I could of people I cover.  I called them "memory makers" and I am thankful for those of you who obliged.  Here are some collages of those pics.

 And here are some more!

And yet some more!!

As you can see, I have had a blast this season!!  I got to work with my son all year.  We were able once again able to work district and region championships together.  We worked both Boys and Girls Sweet 16 together.  I love that aspect of my job as well.  When I left the State Tourney today, a lot of people said, "See ya next year Tim!"  To which I replied, "Lord willing."  But I hugged them, took some pictures, made sure they knew I appreciate them, just in case.  We never know.

The season is over.  Part of me is so relieved cause it hasn't been an easy season for me.  Part of me is so sad, because I know some of the people in the photos above, I may never see again.  Thanks for those reading this.  You have some type of interest in what I have to say, so THANK YOU no matter if you were a player, coach, fan, listener, whatever, I do so much appreciate you all!  God bless!