Magical ZAGdum

I'm thinking anyone associated with Gonzaga University is feeling downright giddy this week. 

And, we're only talking about basketball, along with the school's other many fine academic and athletic programs.

For the record, as a longtime ZAG fan, I have no official association with the university.  Like so many dedicated ZAG fans, I wish I did.  

In fact, I think it would be a neat idea for the Gonzaga academic powers-that-be to come up with an online class, offering credits and a full-fledged letter grade.  

This class could be specifically designed for the gentiles among the ZAGnation. 

I'd sign up and would be most honored to take the course, whatever it may be.  Heck, I might even earn an A. 

I don't know that taking and completing such a class would make me any more enthusiastic as a longtime ZAG fan, but it would definitely give me an added and welcome sense of belonging to a truly magnificent and highly respected college program.

Anyway, back to this week:  men's team basketball named No. 1 in the nation, men's team demonstrates that they belong at the top after winning two more games.  Men's team 8-0.

Women's team wins two games in the Kennel.  BTW:  my hubby Bill attended both of them, taking me along with him yesterday.  And, I got to meet Spike, the mascot. 

At that game, Gonzaga women upset No. 8 and undefeated Stanford in a wild, woolly and electrifying four quarters of impressive and scrappy basketball. 

To say the ZAGS kinda caught Stanford's Cardinals off "guard" for pretty much all of those four quarters  would be a bit of an understatement. 

And, while coach Lisa Fortier's women were doing their job up and down the floor, a sold-out crowd of 6,000 loud ZAGS fans, including several members of the men's team, fresh off their big win in Nebraska kept the Kennel rocking.

This year our season tickets to the women's games have us at a much better perch than the past three years.  So, we met some new seatmates, all diehard and demonstrative FANatics like us. 

My new best friend Terri, a retired hospice nurse, snapped the photo below showing some of the men's team on their feet, hands in the air with her cell phone and sent it to my phone. 

Now, back to the facts:  Gonzaga women, knock off No. 8 and now have an 8-1 record, with their only loss to Notre Dame, last year's NCAA women's National Champion.  

BTW: Notre Dame lost yesterday to perennial women's powerhouse UConn. 

This Gonzaga stuff for us gentiles is truly a fun way to spend our winter days.  Bill and I even made a stop for dinner at No Li Brewery after the game. 

Twas definitely a step-up from my usual Whammy, chocolate shake and Bill's fish-and-chips at DICK'S Restaurant.  

I guess, though, when your teams are making the big headlines at a national level, ya have to celebrate.

It's a magical time in the ZAG Nation, for both the insiders and those of us confirmed wannabes. 

BTW:  someone with serious clout (you know who you are) needs to pass along my suggestion about the online class. 

I'd love to be first to sign up and will be proud to add Gonzaga University to my U of I, Boise State, Idaho State and "Lee Cantor" higher education credentials. 

Happy Monday.  GO, ZAGS!