Yesterday, I watched the end of the UNLV-Wisconsin game which was pretty exciting, since it was such an unexpected upset.
But what also caught my attention was the newsworthy familial sidebars contained within the Runnin' Rebels' roster. Guard Kevin Kruger is coached by his dad, Lon Kruger, so that end-of-the-game hug was extra special.
Then there's Joe Darger, a 6-7 shooter from Utah, whose dad happens to be a polygamist. The New York Times' even published a story about Joe's sizeable cheering section, since he has 17 siblings who were all born at home.
As Reporter Jenkins points out: "College basketball has plenty of experience with nontraditional family structures: parents in jail, parents in shelters, parents missing entirely. Joe grew up with three parents in the house."
Indeed, competitive sports remains one of the few venues in American life where ability, not background, is king.
(GO BUTLER!)
Update: My guys brought up the legal issue with regards to the Darger family. As did this blogger who wonders if the national publicity could make the dad a "target" for this attorney general. But after reading this, I can't imagine that any law enforcement official in Utah would bother Mr. Darger.
Then there's Joe Darger, a 6-7 shooter from Utah, whose dad happens to be a polygamist. The New York Times' even published a story about Joe's sizeable cheering 