Game Day!  I love game day.  I cannot remember a time when those words didn’t make me feel a little like waking up on Christmas morning.  When I was a kid, I always looked forward to game day.  In fact, I got excited for practice days.  No matter what was going on at school or at home, thinking about how I would be on a field, or a court in a few hours, would make the day better.  Whatever discomfort or “agony” was currently plaquing my day, would fade against the prospect of getting to play later.  Practice would start, and never go long enough.  I was happiest when I was playing.  When practice ended, I would immediately start looking forward to the next one.

I remember how my stomach felt just hours before the game.  The little butterflies signaling a welcome anxiety and nervousness.  I would picture myself making certain plays or shooting free throws.  Imagine myself placing my right toe at the nail in the center of the line, a long breath and relaxing my shoulders, taking three dribbles and then bending knees to dip briefly before extending and releasing the ball as I keep my eyes on the rim.  In middle school, on game days, the team would warm up in the gym after the last bell had sounded and students were gone or waiting for their bus.  After warmups, we would all go to a classroom and the coach would give us our pregame pep talk.  I remember being warm and my hands would leave outlines on the desk surface where the heat was emanating from my palms and fingers.  Strangely, as much as I remember the games themselves, that is still a very strong memory.  The anticipation.

Throughout middle school, high school and university, those game days changed and became more elaborate in their preparation.  Bus rides got longer, pregame meals heartier, and fan base larger.  But the pregame anticipation; I’m not sure that ever changed.  There is an energy that cannot be easily put into words.  I suppose the one exception was making it to the sweet 16 of the NCAA Div II basketball championships.  That was definitely a highlight. 

After university, “gamedays” as I knew them, were essentially over.  I’ve competed as an adult in various leagues and I still play basketball today.  But the thrill of the crowd and the meaningful games will no longer be there for me, the player.  But with my photography, I still get to have a little fun and excitement.  I will share in future articles what it has been like following two of our local teams.  But for now…it is time to prepare for another game.