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Things to Do Before You Die #32
By Amy Selby

Go to the “Big Dance”

In sports there are a few high profile tournaments that are once-in-a-lifetime experiences for any fan or athlete. There’s the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup Finals, the World Series and the Olympics. For college basketball fans, the tournament to watch is the NCAA Final Four. Over a period of three weeks, fans watch as 64 teams are whittled down to 32, then to the Sweet 16 and to the Elite Eight. After the Elite Eight, the remaining teams battle it out at the Big Dance, or the Final Four tournament. It’s no wonder sports fans have deemed the tournament—and the frenzy surrounding it—as March Madness.

Kreg Huffer, D.C., is a chiropractor in Jackson Center, Ohio, and is a big time basketball fan. His college team of choice is the Ohio State Buckeyes. When the Buckeyes won their way into the final game of the tournament, Huffer knew he had to find a way to see it. Here, Huffer talks with Today’s Chiropractic LifeStyle about his journey to see Ohio State and Florida in the last game of the Final Four tournament in Atlanta, Ga.

Tickets to the Final Four aren’t easy to come by. How did you land your ticket?

The Final Four has been on my wish list of things to do before I die for some time. When the Buckeyes made it into the tournament, it was as simple as calling Dr. Guy Riekeman [president of Life University]. I told him that I was searching for tickets and that I had a few leads out there, and I asked if he had any leads on tickets. We had some dialogue back and forth, and he said he would get back to me. While I was playing in an alum basketball game I got a call from Guy—he had tickets. I said, ‘Count me in for the Final Four, I know my Buckeyes are going to be there.’

What happened once you got to Atlanta?

It was unbelievable. Everything just fell right into place. From that alum basketball game, I called my wife and asked her to get me a flight to Atlanta on Monday afternoon. Once I landed at the airport [in Atlanta], Guy picked me up in his convertible with his Life University baseball cap on. We drove downtown and got VIP parking at the Embassy Suites about four or five hours before the game. The buzz about the game was starting to build. Outside of the arena fans were cheering and chanting. Once we got inside the atmosphere and the energy was vibrating at a frequency that was unheard of. It was all good, great fun—there was no ugliness about it.

What were the highlights of the game?

Before the game I got to watch Jamar Butler warm up. I have watched him play when he was in high school. I got to go to several Buckeye home games this season, and every year I make an annual pilgrimage with my son to watch the Ohio boys basketball state tournament in Columbus, Ohio. So, I have a close connection to the team [Ohio State]. I feel as if I have watched them grow up, and step out and play in this big event. I know these guys, and that made it special.

Also, as the stadium began to fill it was celebrity city. Anybody who was anybody was there. We had fabulous seats.

Was it disappointing to see the Buckeyes lose?

The buildup was fantastic. Florida shot the ball better. We didn’t shoot well. We did play a good game, but it comes down to who puts the ball in the hoop wins. I was proud, but it was Florida’s game. I’m hoping for redemption.

What are you going to take away from the experience?

I have watched the Final Four every year, to be there and to take it in … there are no words to describe it. When you’re into it, like me, it’s a dream come true.

What else is on your wish list?

I have had an ever-evolving list for the past 10 years. I pull it out and scratch items off and add more on. Many times I’ll pull it out and I have forgotten what I wrote down. I’m always surprised at how many things I’m able to scratch off the list.

Because of my philosophy background, spiritual connection and the way I practice, I have an interest in going to Tibet and the Himalayas to see the eastern religions and how they are lived, and to see the whole culture. I also have the NBA championship on the list, and a number of golf courses that I want to play, as well.