I was 10 years old, and it was important.

During the 1986-87 basketball season, I hugged my radio when Jim Zabel told me to, and I kissed it when he told me to. See, I recorded the radio broadcast of the games on cassette. I would re-listen to the close games, and on nights when I had to go to bed right after the game, I would let the recording keep going and listen to the post-game interviews the next day.

I ran around the house whooping and hollering when Kevin Gamble’s shot went in against Oklahoma. When Iowa went up big in the first half against UNLV, I couldn’t contain myself. Neither could Zabel (when could he ever?). At halftime I was jumping up and down saying “We’re going to the Final Four! We’re going to the Final Four!” I was devastated when it didn’t happen.

I hadn’t really forgotten about any of those emotions I had, but they really came flooding back on Saturday afternoon. Seeing all of those guys reminded me of how important it had been to me back then. The ovation the team and especially Dr. Tom received was outstanding, and it had me holding back some tears.

I was struck by some of these notions on Saturday, and thinking about them since, and I really felt the need to share them here. The past few years, it hasn’t been important. And I find that incredibly sad. Not for a lot of the reasons that we all know are problematic, like loss of revenue. But for the 10 year old boys out there. This sounds incredibly schmaltzy and cheesy and whatever other word you want to describe it. But those guys that were in Carver on Saturday were heroes for so many kids in Iowa 25 years ago.

I was so happy to see the current team take in the history right before their very eyes. I so badly want Iowa Basketball to be relevant again, important again, and I think it’s invaluable to make that impression on the players we have now. I believe Fran McCaffery is the guy to turn this around, and we’re starting to see it. People can bicker over the student section, and where to put the band. But part of the success of the program is having kids look at these players and see them as heroes, and they need to know that. I think they got a taste of it Saturday afternoon.

I’m 35 years old, and it is important.