As I write this from my stately penthouse suite at the East Madison Super 8, we are only 14 hours from the Colfax Vikings taking to the court in a DIII WIAA state semi-final game at the Alliant Energy Center. With eight bus loads of fans coming down tomorrow, a with celebratory signs winding along the main street busineess' facades and aura of energy, this should be exciting for the community. Something like this hasn't happened to Colfax since the 1970s when the boys team one it all (and there was the tornado, but this is much more positive).

Having grown up in a pro sports environment, the notion of high school sports being anywhere near as exciting as the postseason for even a minor league hockey playoff series was as far-fetched as imaginaing a pink dog with angel wings cooking waffles for a green elephant. It was so inane my head hurt like a Sunday hackers' back after a round of 18. This year has been my first covering high school sports for Clear Channel (including Moose 106.7 which is calling the Colfax games) and as the year went on that opinion changed little...until the playoff time. All those random games at gyms on a Tuesday night in December (which ultimately mean little because EVERYONE makes the playoffs) are more than compensated by the excitement of the playoffs and that goal everyone has of reaching Madison (as if it were Cancun, or Paris or some other hot destination).

And driving around Colfax this week made me realize what it truly means to a town...and that the excitement generated by a state tournament run is as powerful (albeit on a smaller level) as anything a pro team can do.

The amazing thing is, this tiny town is sending six buses of fans to the game and that doesn't count the dozens who will drive themselves to Madison and may already be in Mad-Town. Reports have surfaced that while classes will still be on tomorrow at the school, there will be only around 100 students left in grades K-12!

My only question is...who are these 100 students and where the heck are their parents. Even if one despises sports and sees no point to a schools sponsorsing such activity and the blantant truism that will be going on, its still a community event that is unparreled for a town of 1,200. Assuming most of these 100 students in question are elementary age, and there parents simply can't take time off of work and I can understand that excuse but its the only one that will fly in my air space.

My best wishes go to the Colfax Vikings and to head coach Joe Doucette who is truly a class act who has waited a long time for this return trip.