Every year around March Madness time, we hear the term ‘underdog’ used a little more frequently.  That’s because there are so many of them in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.  And the world loves to root for the underdog!  In fact, I’d be willing to bet that most folks, whose team has already been eliminated or never made the tournament to begin with, are pulling for #9 seeded Wichita State.  Why?  Because they’re this year’s underdog.

The experts say they shouldn’t have made it as far as they have and that they’re on borrowed time.  And maybe they are.  But, according to that logic, they’ve already accomplished the impossible and a lot of fans want to see them continue to do so.  But why the love affair with underdogs?  Why do we associate with them?  Why do we love to pull for them to win?

My theory is that we relate to the underdogs on a deeper level.  I believe it’s more than us just wanting to see an upset.  I feel that it’s us longing to be reassured that miracles still happen.  Logic is still defied.  And nothing in this world is impossible.  I think that if we’re honest, most of us consider ourselves underdogs in some way, shape or form.

If I didn’t believe that every underdog has its day, I wouldn’t keep writing, trying to land that first NY Times Best Seller.  I wouldn’t watch my Indianapolis Colts play the New England Patriots.  And I certainly would never set foot on another golf course.  But deep down, thanks to all the underdogs who have bucked the odds and grabbed success and run with it, I believe I’ll soon write that NY Times Best Seller.  I believe Andrew Luck will lead the Colts to victory over the evil Tom Brady the next time they match up.  And I believe that one day, maybe…just maybe…I’ll break 100 in my golf game.

I thank the good Lord for all the underdogs from which we gain inspiration.  These are the true role models in our lives.  Go Wichita State!!!!