Unfortunately, the Butler University men’s basketball season came to
a close yesterday afternoon as our Bulldogs were defeated in overtime
by the University of Tennessee in the second round of the NCAA
Tournament by a score of 76-71. It most assuredly wasn’t our best
showing on the court this season, but one thing is for certain, like
true Bulldogs, our team never gave up…they fought tooth and nail to the
bitter end, an end that came all to quickly for this mascot.

In
spite of the tough loss, the boys had an incredible season totaling a
school-record 30-wins and only four losses, including a Great Alaska
Shootout Title, Horizon League regular season and tournament
championships and the team’s highest ever national ranking of 8th.

Thus,
this team made me, Butler Blue II, the most decorated Butler mascot in
school history with regard to men’s basketball. Not only did I witness
our first 30-win season, but that added to my overall record of 92 and
39 since the 2004-05 season. Of the games that I’ve actually attended,
I am 49-8 and in the NCAA Tournament I have a record of 3-2.

In
appreciation of the team’s efforts, I was present at their arrival back
to campus on Sunday night outside of Gate 1 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. It
was a bit of a somber affair, but the students in attendance did their
best to let the team know just how proud of them we were. Like so many
of our teams in the last several years, they made us proud to be
Bulldogs and they helped to put our school on the map.

For a video of their return, visit BlueTube at: www.YouTube.com/butlerblue2.

The
hangover of defeat was heavy on the hearts of those on campus on
Monday. There was just no way around the sadness so I retreated to my
cage on Monday morning to sleep it off. I just wasn’t ready to see the
season end and I guess David Letterman wasn’t either: http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/03/25/david-letterman-thinks-butler-deserves-another-chance-against-te/

Monday
night was bath time as I had to get prepared for my big day today. I
started off the morning with a trip to Pine Tree Elementary School in
Avon, Ind. There my dad and I visited eight classes between
kindergarten and third grade. We read books to over 250 kids and handed
out my READ posters and bookmarks to the teachers and students.

Actually, I let my dad handle the book reading while I took care of the “looking good” part. We make a great team.

After that it was back to campus to rest up for my next big visit with
former “First Daughter,” Chelsea Clinton and actor Sean Astin, better
known as “Rudy, ” or “Mikey” from The Goonies or son of Patty Duke.
Take your pick.

Both
were on the campaign trail, stumping for Democratic Presidential
hopeful, Hillary Clinton. Keep in mind, I don’t do politics, so I could
care less about their background, their beliefs, policies, experience,
etc. I just ask that people register to vote and then do so on election
day.

Sean was really excited to see me, saying something
like “This dog is awesome!” But for as much as Sean was impressed, I’m
not so sure Chelsea was all that awestruck. Perhaps she’s still partial
to Buddy, the former First Dog, God rest his soul.

We all posed for a quick photo-op before Sean introduced Chelsea in front of a packed Starbucks cafe in Atherton Union.

Tomorrow
I get to visit with more of “tomorrow’s leaders” only this time on
Butler’s campus as those young students participating in the College
Mentors for Kids! program will be coming to campus.