A Game in Rupp Arena

As I mentioned in one of the previous posts, I had been to Rupp Arena many times but never actually witnessed a game there. In 1996, I went to see the the champs come back home to a reception and a banner ceremony. But this year, I was fortunate enough to go to a game for my birthday. But like any game or event at UK, tickets are near impossible to get. For me, it was just good enough to be able to be up there and celebrate my birthday with my family and enjoy the cold weather. My grandfather was somehow able to connect me up with a family friend who lent me her season tickets for the particular game I was going to so I could go. When she personally gave me the tickets, I was excited, but when I looked at the price of the ticket, I assumed it was up top because it was less than $30, when in actuality, they were around $1,000. I had to park on the other side of downtown and walked through the skywalk and saw fans everywhere, from one building to the other. It was like some type of gathering. Then after I passed through the Hyatt, which connects to Rupp, I entered and before I even took my seat I looked at the enormity of the place. I felt as if I had died and gone to Heaven, Big Blue Heaven that is. Words cannot exactly describe the plethora of emotions I felt when I walked towards my seat, but I know that when the game started, all my focus shifted towards the game. Just like at home when I tune out everything, as do other people, the world stops for two hours just for the game. I was up on my feet the whole time and lost my voice the same day because of all the yelling. I wore my brand new Jodie Meeks jersey to the game also. But for me, it was different than for most people there. It was my first game, and you never forget your first time.