It was the day of the NCAA Mens Basketball Finals, the conclusion of the month-long celebration many know as March Madness, wherein the University of Wisconsin Badgers were going up against the Duke University Blue Devils, and I spent the day pretending to be a Badger.
Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn — My girlfriend of something like two months is not only a Wisconsin alumna but a Madison native, though one who rarely shows signs of hometown or collegiate pride, and she's even named Maddy — Maddy from Madison. I woke that morning while she dressed for work, and just as I rolled back to extend my slumber, Maddy held up a quarter-zip sweatshirt that said "WISCONSIN" across it and encouraged me to wear it that day. I grumbled something affirmative and returned my head to the pillow.
Star-wipe to hours later. I've consumed her breakfast, used her hot water, and bummed her bandwidth all before my day has officially begun. The clothes I'd worn to Easter the day before are back on my body and I eye the WISCONSIN sweatshirt. I'd almost forgotten that I'd agreed to wear it and debated the decision for a moment.
Would I really be the boyfriend with no favorite team of his own, who simply adopts his girlfriend's allegiance? Look at me. Twenty-nine years old, no full-time job, losing hair at an impressive clip, and worrying about how rooting for a college other than my own might make me look. I wondered what I was trying to prove. And to whom?
Frying pan to the head. Duh. I wanted to show my girlfriend that I cared more about her than about my hang ups. I'd always been strict in my loyalties and unwavering in my hatred for bandwagon fans. But I wasn't jumping on the Wisconsin bandwagon, I was jumping on the Maddy bandwagon. So, up and over it went, and a Badger I became.
Crown Heights, Brooklyn — Pull out to reveal my tax accountant's office. I was there for our introductory meeting. What I lack in full-time employment and career goals, I make up for with financial responsibility. Lori came to greet me, took one look at my sweatshirt, and told me, "This was meant to be." She was a Badger herself and immediately seemed to give me the benefit of the doubt. Even when I lied to her about possible additional income, I could sense that she innately trusted me. After all, I was a Badger.
Smash cut to a train platform. I had left the accountant behind to catch a train to Manhattan, when a tall young man stopped me mid-stride. Talking over my guilt, he explained that he was a high school senior raising money for a big basketball tournament that weekend. He caught himself mid-sentence and pointed to my sweatshirt as he told me he was going to attend Wisconsin next year. He told me to keep an eye out for him. If the next guy had been wearing a Blue Devils hat, maybe he'd have been going to Duke next year. I don't know, but the kid seemed sincere. Either way, I lied and said I had no cash. Go Badgers!
Korea Town, Manhattan — Montage. Getting off of the train and walking to my part time job, I spotted other Badgers among the crowd. A small head nod here and lingering eye contact there. Jay-walking with pride, I felt a part of something bigger than myself. Of course though, I wasn't actually a part of anything. I was just wearing a Women's Small Jansport and putting on a smile for the day.
Kips Bay, Manhattan — Dissolve to evening. Entering the Badger-packed bar was cool, like stepping into a meeting of Skull and Bones, but also nerve-racking, since everyone knew at first glance that Yale was out of the question for me. Dozens of people, decked out in Wisconsin gear, turned to look at me as I made my way to the back of the bar. As each of them turned, I braced for one to say, "Hey! You!! Yeah, you, dickhead. You don't belong here!!! Get your New England loving ass out of this bar!" Instead, and much to my relief, I drifted right by them, as though I'd been made invisible by the magic sweatshirt on my body. I blended in like apple to a juice cocktail. I was a Badger and the bar was my sett, so I dug right in and raised a class to Wisconsin.
For the next two hours, the sweatshirt allowed me to cheer for a team I barely knew, shake hands with guys I'd just met, and share the communal sorrow of losing an NCAA Finals game to a team everyone fucking hates. We'll get them next year, boys.