Time to forgive Roy

As an avid KU basketball fan, I was obviously thrilled with the results of last night's game. Sinking back in my chair when Memphis was up by 9 with little time left, I felt disappointed. But things started going the Jayhawk's way, and soon I found myself on my feet again, then on my knees with my hands on my head. By the end of the game, Traci and I were jumping up and down, screaming and hugging each other. Traci wanted to drive to Lawrence after the game, but we both had work today, and we weren't really sure we wanted to stand out in the rain with a bunch of drunk college kids.
I've been a fan ever since 1988, when I didn't care about college basketball, but watched Danny and the miracles beat the heavily favored Sooner team to win the national title. Ever since then, I've been hooked. I attended the UMKC Conservatory for my undergrad and Masters (go Roos?), but they're not really a sports school, so my allegiance has stayed with the school down the road. I loved Roy Williams and what he did for the program, but he could never win the big one. When he left for North Carolina after saying he wouldn't, I, like many fans, was very upset and my love for Roy instantly turned sour. My least favorite team immediately went from Duke to North Carolina, with Roy's picture at the center of my dartboard (I don't really have a dartboard). When he won the National Championship with North Carolina the following year, something he could never do with KU, my contempt only grew.
Meanwhile, Bill Self was building his own program here. We suffered some disappointing first round tournament losses early on, sparking concern in some. But I really like Bill Self, and had faith that he would be "our guy." This year, of course, he proved it. And in the process, I've come to forgive Roy Williams.
First, we beat North Carolina (soundly) in the semi-final game (that's mainly a "Ha! Take that!" kind of bonus). Second, Bill brought us a national title, something Roy was unable to do during his tenure here and demonstrating that Bill Self is the the coach that belongs at Kansas. Finally, Roy showed a lot of class in showing up for the game in a prominently displayed Jayhawk sticker and stating that he was rooting for KU (despite the fact that they had just beat his Tarheels...soundly). So, with that, Roy is no longer on my "people I depise" list, and Duke will resume its role as the team I most enjoy seeing lose (which was also quite fun this year). Roy, you are forgiven. At least by me.
Now if Bill Self heads off to Oklahoma State, I'm gonna have to kick his butt.