Excitement and unforgettable moments make March Madness America’s signature sporting event

The month of March signals that spring is on its way and the flowers are beginning to bloom. We will be able to leave our homes without our boots and gloves. The term “wind chill” will be in our rearview mirror.

March also begins a truly American tradition called “March Madness.” The basketballs will bounce non-stop as we fans enjoy all the tournament action.

According to well-documented reports, the term March Madness was first used in reference to basketball in 1939 by Henry V. Porter, an Illinois high school official. The NCAA didn’t use March Madness until legendary sportscaster Brent Musburger used it during the 1982 tournament. I was honored to have taken a picture with him a few years ago.

No other sporting event comes close to March Madness. Comparing it to something else is pretty debatable in my opinion. Some will say the Super Bowl is a big event, while others will say the NBA Finals is high on their bucket list. Both events, along with the World Series for baseball and Wimbledon for tennis, certainly have a spot on everyone’s scoreboard. But March Madness has a different ring to it.

It even has a number of conditions that come with the event. On the bubble, bracketology, buzzer-beaters are all terms you hear associated with March Madness. Others include the big dance, last four in and last four out.

Part of the March Madness vocabulary is the term Final Four. Ed Chay, a sportswriter, coined the term in 1975. Of course, the NCAA has now trademarked the term.