Last Saturday was Rosh Hashannah. Signaling the start of the new year on the Hebrew calendar, Rosh Hashannah is intended to be a celebration filled with family, food and synagogue.
Fittingly enough, last Saturday also marked a new beginning for the Washington Huskies football program.
But this story starts a week earlier at the UW/Idaho game. During the game, my dad informed me that he wouldn't be going to the USC game because he'd be in synagouge, observing Rosh Hashannah. (Just a quick background on my dad, he specializes in Jewish High Holidays, attending funerals and animal rescue. So as much as I wanted to go to the USC game with him, I knew it wouldn't happen).
When my dad seemed apathetic about me attending synagouge with him, it got me thinking that the Husky game, and the slim chance they could knock off USC, potentially could be one of the best sporting experiences of my life. Could I really pass that up for three hours in a synagouge that smells like old people?
The only hurdle was my mother, who god bless her, has mastered the art of Jewish guilt. While my dad relishes life's more morbid events, my mom puts her engergies into more simple affairs - like Rosh Hashannah brunch.
Upon breaking the news to her that I was forgoing her beloved brunch in favor of a college football game, she replied, "If I die this year, you'll always think about how you missed my brunch!". Thanks, mom!
What went down at Husky Stadium last Saturday is nothing short of miraculous. In ten short months, the Huskies, led by new savior Steve Sarkisian, have completely reshaped what was arguably the worst college football program in the country.
Last year's 0-12 debacle, followed by the 2009 rebirth speaks volumes about just how poor a coach Tyrone Willingham was. Willingham is a miserable person. He made the Huskies miserable. He made every Husky fan miserable.
Before this season started, my feelings towards football as a whole were slightly above apathetic. I blame Tyrone for that. Spending the last four years watching the Huskies get embarrassed week after week was like being forced to watch a Grey's Anatomy marathon.
Luckily that nightmare is over. Husky Football is back.
The Dawgs might not be the most talented team. They might not have blue chip recruits on the bench, or throngs of boosters dolling out cash to their players (ahem, Reggie Bush).
But what they do have is a coach who is committed to winning, and winning now. They have a me against the world attitude that is infectious. And now they know they can beat one of the best team's in the country.
The confidence the Husky players have after the USC win will undoubtedly fuel them for the rest of the season.
Experiencing the euphoria of the Huskies shocking college football and celebrating with some of my best friends is something I'll never forget.
And while my mom is still pissed, I know going to the game was a far better choice than spending the afternoon oddly fixated upon how well my great uncle's toupee lays on his head.
Happy New Year!
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