In college athletics, no year is the same; no season is the same, and no week is the same.  That's one of the reasons I enjoy my job, because every day is different.  As time unfolded a few weeks ago, I knew deep down it was unique, one of a kind.  No matter how many championships we are fortunate enough to win, you could feel how special National Championships #31 and #32 were shaping up to be.  I have never been accused of being a talented writer, but as I flew 9,540 miles all over the country last week watching the Mocs I felt the pull to write down what was happening, and to embrace what I was experiencing.  I wanted to remember; I wanted to be able to recall the details of what could be.  Then I decided I could or should share it.  So, on one of my ten flights last week, I just started writing… 
It was so hard not to dream about what "could be" early in the week.  What would two national championships feel like? Who would hit the big putt?  Score the goal?  Make the clutch defensive stop?  I wanted to go support both men's golf and women's lacrosse; the problem is they were playing over 2,000 miles apart, across two different time zones.  Can this work?  Can I see both?  How do I pack for Vegas and New York in a carry-on?  Will the flights stay on time?  Will my CFO turn off my credit card?  All questions that I knew I could figure out. 

I am too superstitious to only go Friday for the national championship round for men's golf, so I decided to go watch during stroke play on Tuesday with a plan to come back if they were able to make it to the final round Friday.  Four a.m. starts come early, but with the destination of the Beautiful Boulder Creek Golf Club just outside of Las Vegas, I was ready to go!  The course was impressive with such a unique backdrop to watch the Mocs compete, and it is always interesting to go support golfers.  Give a few hand claps, fist pumps, and a couple atta boys, but don't distract; don't take them out of rhythm.  You powerwalk all over the course trying to watch everyone, refreshing live stats just as much as you do back home.  I love to observe how the coaches work with the athletes.  Coach Richey and Jones were everywhere, reading greens and the wind, sharing what they observed with other golfers; it's awesome how hard they work on the course to support the men.   
The confidence of the men was palpable, not cocky but confidence derived from putting in the work and being battle-tested all season.  I watched the leadership of Max Barile, calm and steady.  A First Team All-American who didn't have his best day Tuesday but battled down the stretch to get back to even, building for the golf ahead.  Followed Colton Swartz, who the guys call 'Iceman', with his family as he coolly worked the course.  Watching each of his shots like he is processing every bit of information he can derive from each swing of the club.  Chased around Tyler Mistretta, or Tree, who confidently knew he had a better round in him, and would go on to shoot 8-under the following day.  Saw Anthony Monteleone sandwich two bogeys with two eagles, fighting the pressure of a national championship as a freshman with the joy of playing the game.  And Donte Groppuso, who was having so much fun playing on the best team in the country when his putter was following orders.  I also chatted with Chris Pollak, who was locked in as our sub in case his number was called.  It was obvious how much he was learning and storing away for when he was on the course playing for a national championship. 

Crisscrossing the course, I noticed a gentleman watching our guys wearing a local Lakeland course on his hat.  Tom Plungis, an FSC alum and former golfer, traveled for the week.  Tom watched, cheering on the Mocs all week, impressed by the high level of play from the field.  It is special to watch someone cheering on their alma mater and watching them compete at the highest level.  Thanks for coming out, Tom. 

Tuesday's round comes to an end, and it's off to New York for Women's Lacrosse.  As I am leaving golf, the confidence remains from the coaches and golfers: "Thanks for coming, see you Friday." 

A good night's sleep was much needed, but come Thursday, the energy is easy to find for the Women's Lacrosse National Semifinal.  Rochester Institute of Technology has a wonderful facility, and they hosted both the Division II and Division III championships on the same weekend at a high level.  Thank you to RIT and their entire athletic department for being great hosts.  Especially Jenna, a student-athlete at RIT, who was assigned to the Mocs.  She did a great job supporting our student-athletes, coaches, and administration.  Best of luck to you, Jenna! 

The weather was beautiful on Thursday, and the fans showed up to New York!  We had a great turnout of families, alums, and families of former players.  Coach Reber does such a great job pulling in the families of our student-athletes.  It is a huge part of the success the program has been able to sustain.   

As the Mocs are warming up to battle Pace, everyone is tracking on men's golf match play.  The Mocs were in a battle against Colorado Christian.  I can safely estimate I hit refresh on those live stats 200+ times.  When Anthony Monteleone secured the point on 18, Brad Bee, our Associate AD, and I threw our hands in the air from opposite sidelines, celebrating the victory.   

After a tense first half with some crucial saves in the goal, the Mocs offense got rolling in the second half, putting up nine goals to give the best defense in the country some breathing room.  The team played with such joy, seeming to find the fun in every goal, defensive stop, and draw control.  I was so impressed watching them play so well as a team.  The post-game celebration, highlighted by a pickle, showed the excitement of a big win but the composure for a job not yet complete. 
Post-game celebrations were short for me; it was back to the airport, headed to Vegas.  Dr. Jeremy P. Martin, our college president, was boarding a plane in Orlando.  I was boarding a plane in Rochester, both Vegas-bound, knowing the Mocs were in a battle with the No. 2 team in the country for the right to play for a national championship.  I guess you could say at this point the confidence from both teams had rubbed off on us.  Get to Vegas, golf will get the job done.  

Friday morning, I couldn't help it.  I started to allow the dream in: two national championships.  It was right in front of us; it was possible.  I wanted to take everything in, be present, not watch through my camera.  We had worthy opponents, but it felt like the win was for the taking in both championships.  Both teams rooting each other on, the department echoing support and cheers filled up our GroupMe messages.  It felt like the Mocs' moment.   

The final round of six rounds in five days was an honor to watch.  With only 10 competitors on the course, play spread out quickly, and we got our steps in!  I remember last year Coach Richey, in his first season, was frustrated by how the matchups played out during these head-to-head competitions.  I knew as the top seed his design would be all over the matchups.  In the end, it came down to experience.  All three of our graduating Mocs scored points to secure the 14^th National Championship for Men's Golf and 31^st for Florida Southern College.  The tears, hugs, and pride were instant.  The realization of years of hard work for these student-athletes and coaches.  Watching them lift the trophy, fit the hat, check out the championship watch, and celebrate with photos and FaceTime calls to loved ones was a beautiful scene that I will cherish.  All five golfers went 2-1 in match play, a true team victory in one of the toughest championships to win.   
At dinner, the athletes talked about ring designs, celebration plans, putts made and missed, and flights home.  The athletes were happy to remind me I would have to change my beginning-of-the-year speech.  We weren't hunting for championship 31 anymore.  They had done the job, answered the call, and added a banner to the Field House rafters.  I think we could have stayed at that dinner for hours, but a flight awaited - the red-eye back to New York, for a shot at #32. 

I needed ibuprofen, and Dr. Martin needed a neck pillow, and we were off.  At this point, I had no idea what time zone I was in or what meal was up next, but we were flying on adrenaline and a dream coming into focus. 

We were joined Saturday by my family (thanks for coming!), a few more Mocs in the stands, and some awful weather.  Pretty sure the Mocs cleared out the local stores of all ponchos and cheap umbrellas; 40 degrees and rainy was not in the dream!  Nonetheless, the Mocs were ready.  Supported by a great crowd, women's lacrosse was dominant early.  The opening seven FSC goals, tallied by seven different players and supported by the best defense in the country, pushed the Mocs out in front.  Cruising to a 9-2 lead to start the 4^th quarter.  It's dangerous to start to feel like the game is over with 15 minutes left and a hungry opponent on the sideline.  Maryville had one of the best offenses in the country this year, and they got going late.  Five unanswered goals put the Mocs on our heels.  Watching the clock and valuing possession only does so much against talented desperation.  Rebekah Bargeron's save off her leg with 37 seconds allowed for a collective breath for the FSC faithful.  National Championship #2 for FSC Women's Lacrosse and #32 for the college.  The Mocs were great this year, 21-1, avenging their only loss in the national quarterfinal matchup. Five All-Tournament selections: Jenna Vetter, Audrey Cannelli, Riley Rivera, Brayden Cannelli, and the tournament's most outstanding player, Kolby Cohen.  Those excellent student-athletes have played their entire careers here and are scheduled to return to the Mocs. 
That proved to be a common thread in both championships.  Student-athletes who chose Florida Southern, who stayed, who embraced what it means to be a part of this community.  Coaches who invested in their student-athletes.  Coach Richey is an alum, from Lakeland, pouring into student-athletes at a place he cares about deeply.  Coach Reber has been the only coach to ever lead Florida Southern Women's Lacrosse; she has created a program from scratch that is the envy of the nation.  Sustained excellence is unbelievably difficult; she has the formula.  What I witnessed this week is what college athletics are supposed to be, what many of us fell in love with.  Loyal and talented student-athletes and coaches striving for greatness at an institution they proudly wear across their chest.   

At an institution where national championships have defined success and our history, the pressure to win at Florida Southern is very real.  It's plastered all over the walls and rafters.  It's a part of the recruiting and hiring processes here.  We don't hide from it; we embrace it; it is a blessing.  Everyone felt the tension of years without a championship; it builds.   These championships are so hard to win.  We have seen so many deserving, talented individuals and teams not lift the trophy.  It's a tough business where your wins and losses are posted online for everyone to see before the night is over.  In the days following two championships in two days, the outpouring of support and congratulations has been overwhelming.  Thank you.  I have also heard from many of our coaches who are motivated to be championship #33.  For many of them, that work has already started; it doesn't stop. 
Congratulations to Men's Golf and Women's Lacrosse.  Thank you to the Florida Southern and Lakeland community for all your support. 

PS.  To my absolute favorite CFO, Terry Dennis, I'm sorry.  Our budget is toast. To our college president, Dr. Martin, congratulations on two national championships and thank you for your support. Go Mocs!