Writing my column this week on an Election Day that should prove to be historic, to say the least, was a bit challenging. I felt obligated to throw some sort of political flavor into the sports world. Luckily enough, this particular university provided me with the perfect scenario over recent weeks.
Now as my words hit the press for readers on Wednesday, I can only hope that the \W""rite choice is made-wait, I'll just go with correct-in terms of our next president. Aside from that, the recent student ""ticket-gate"" scandal put me on an emotional roller coaster, as I hit both highs and eventual lows via the Badger Athletic Department.
For the last three years, I have supported Badger hoops just as enthusiastically as I have football. I have made sure to acquire season tickets for each sport prior to the launch of the school year. For three years I have followed and participated as a fan, and given Badger sports priority over any paper or test I to encountered. There have been times where I chose to use my tickets for financial benefit, like an Illinois game for 100 dollars cash, but with that brief exception, I have maintained my consistent support of Badger events.
However, this year a lottery, or for you poli sci majors, a draft, was instituted for the right to obtain men's basketball tickets. I didn't view the lottery as a problem, because it initially appeared designed to make it highly probable for people of upperclassmen status, like myself, more likely to receive tickets.
Without any problems, my name was selected and I assumed I had survived the lottery system. Once again I was going to enjoy another season of home games at the Kohl Center, rather than listen to former Badger Mike Kelly pretend to communicate well on TV. Mike was one of my favorite Badgers of all-time, but just because you played the game doesn't guarantee you are able to articulate well on TV.
Conversely, over the next few days, UW officials found that there appeared to be some ""tampering"" with some applications in the offices of the Kohl Center Plaza. Apparently, some had been lost, along with other grievances, causing the need for an immediate change to be made in regards to the prior decision.
This seemed outrageous to me. Initially it was reported that I had won the election, or ticket process. But now it appeared there had been some sort of miscount?
The Flor... I mean, Wisconsin Division of Intercollegiate Athletics elected to hold an on-line vote among 3,750 UW-Madison students that submitted applications for men's basketball tickets to help finalize the process for distributing 2004-'05 tickets.
The voting began Tuesday afternoon giving the option of:
A. 2,100 students will receive season tickets at full student prices and 1,650 students will not receive any tickets.
B. 1,500 students will receive season tickets at full student prices and the remaining 2,250 applicants will receive complimentary four-game packages, which include two conference and two non-conference games.
Despite my rage over another vote taking place, I had to focus on the matter at hand and look beyond this minor setback. Drawing from one of America's most respected and inspiring role models, P-Diddy, who simultaneously ran a marathon and gave fans one of the most prevalent groups in the rap industry, ""Da Band,"" I decided to vote or succumb to certain death.
In the following days, my attention was fixated on my Wiscmail account. I eagerly awaited the results of the second vote. Here was my opportunity to see first-hand if our democratic system truly worked. But in the coming hours I was about to encounter one of the greatest injustices in the history of this great city.
Unfortunately, not only did the candidate I voted for not get elected but, to add insult to injury, my name was left off the second list. This not only sent me into an alcohol-induced rage, but I began to question my country and the morals I have believed in my entire life.
I demanded a recount, and presented my case to some of Madison's highest officials such as Scanner Dan from State Street and even Madison's neediest paper, the Badger Herald. Neither could help me, and I had to retire to my house with the realization that I would be on the outside looking in this year, both literally and figuratively.
For the first time in my life I felt the pain of the Democratic party, as what first appeared to be a victory soon turned to utter disappointment. Personally, I will be able to cope with this loss.
I'll buy a few tickets, and cover a few games for this paper as a way to ease the pain. But I came to realize that in the world of politics, there is no coping with a loss; it is either victory or defeat in black and white, leaving no gray area.
On a serious note, I praise all those who voted yesterday, because this unique election is far more vital than the voting for any sporting event. Whether the incumbent or challenger is set to reside in the White House, I hope that our voting process holds true and fair for our country. But, I have to conclude for now. Diddy just came to my door, and he only left me two options.
Jon is majoring in journalism and Englishand can be reached at jrmcnamra@wisc.edu.
