This past weekend was about memory-making moments, and the three-plus hours on Sunday was the coolest thing I've ever witnessed. 

I've been at NBA Finals games, Ryder Cups, and Super Bowl parades, but this is my personal highlight. 

The Dome is my favorite building in the world. It's where Lindsey and I got engaged, and now this event makes it all the more special. Seeing 11,500 people in person, all enjoying the moment together, was incredible. The visual of the entire set-up turned out picture-perfect and well beyond anyone's wildest dream.

Getting a first-hand look behind the scenes at what makes excellent individual leaders and teams for the several months leading up to this event and the event itself, was a life-altering experience.

First, from Coach Izzo's group. From the players, to the assistant coaches, to the managers…they all displayed the excellence, genuineness, humility, and toughness that you would associate with Michigan State basketball. Kevin Pauga and the entire Michigan State administration were amazing in every facet. You can see why they keep pulling off these unbelievable events one after another. 

Producer Steve Scheer, analysts Lisa Byington and Bill Raftery, and the entire team that produced the game showed why they are all at the absolute peak of their profession. There were countless others I met through this event who blew me away with their elite level of leadership qualities, and I wish everyone could get to see why these people are the best of the best.

I learned more about leadership through this experience than any book or degree could ever teach. 

As a small Division II school and community, every person I had the pleasure to work with through this event was outstanding. 

We proved we belonged.

I'm not talking about the game, although I thought we competed with maximum effort for 40 minutes. I'm talking about the folks in Marquette and Northern Michigan who proved that we belong on an elite stage with the best. 

The Beacon House breakfast was as classy and as well run as you could expect at a Final Four. Mary Tavernini Dowling has been and will continue to be the best example of selfless leadership I have had the pleasure of knowing. 

None of this would have been possible without President Tessman, Gavin Leach, Jeff Korpi, and the rest of the Northern administration for their unwavering support to host an event of this magnitude. 

The energy and excitement to be a Wildcat is at an all-time high. This comes back to our elite leadership at the University level, and President Tessman is at the core of this transformation. Our athletic department, which has gone through so many recent changes and already is stretched thin in terms of size, rose up to the occasion and met the biggest of moments.

Rick Comley showed why he's won two NCAA D1 national championships, and has previously elevated Northern Michigan to national prominence. He's been a tremendous mentor, and someone I learn from everyday. Robin Burke was doing the work of ten mere mortals, Dana Rudden and the event's team hosted a mini Final Four environment, and Zach Nicholas and the sports information and creative team all put in an incredible effort to help produce and capture this historic event that received top remarks from many at Fox Sports, MSU, NMU, and beyond. 

Consistently throughout the athletic department, we made the Superior Showdown a premier event. 

Thank you Brandon Sager and all the facilities staff who worked 20+ hour days, followed by a couple of hours of sleep, and then delivered. Thank you Mike Bath and his team for working security at the highest attended indoor event on record in the Upper Peninsula. Thank you Christy Lake and her ticketing staff for the countless phone calls and emails.

To all these amazing people, I am truly grateful.

Last but certainly not least, is our team. Our players not only competed on the floor with tremendous pride, but represented themselves in a first-class manner in a high-stakes environment. 

We have one of the smallest funded staffs in the entire GLIAC, a reality we hope to change, but everyone stepped up. From coaches Keil Ganz, John-Michael Hughes, and Jordan Weber, to athletic trainer Jason Laxo, to strength coaches Alex Morse and Kyle Hartzell…they all delivered in every possible way. They met moments all preseason to not only have us prepared and ready but also represented NMU in a first-class manner. 

None of this would matter, if not for the joy and happiness we all brought to so many.

From the 11,500 at the game and to all those watching on national television, this event meant the world to countless people. 

Getting to spend time with our alumni group was so special. I can't wait to follow up and create more special moments for those who laid the foundation for NMU basketball.

The happiness of our players' families is something I hope our guys appreciate. All of our players have worked hard, but so have their families to allow them to develop into college players. Moments like this are what make it all worth it, and each player's family has a lot to be proud of. If we have any success, it will be because they raised great human beings. 

From all the kids at the game to NMU retirees, the moments we created will last forever. I am where I am because of the special and memorable moments that happened to me when I was younger, and I have a great feeling that this event will have long-term ripple effects throughout the UP. 

Lastly, I got to watch my own family's happiness. My wife Lindsey and I, who share so many sporting and Northern moments, got to experience every step of this together. I couldn't do any of what I do without her. 

My six-year-old niece got to take the court for warm-ups and compare Xavier Booker to Giannis Antetokounmpo (as if I wasn't worried enough watching him warm up). 

My dad, who had a stroke last year, got to come up and spend the whole weekend with our team. He got to eat breakfast with Tom Izzo, because of course Coach Izzo would want to sit next to him at breakfast. He got to see me on a stage he never in his wildest dreams could have imagined. He is not only my best friend, but is the reason I am a college basketball coach. Getting to have those moments with my dad is one of the highlights of my life and something I'll cherish forever.  

Which brings me to my final point. Thank you, Coach Izzo. You're the reason for all of this. This happened because of you.

It was awesome watching those moments of happiness you had, but without talking about all of this, it wouldn't put into proper context what happened this past weekend. You wanted to make memories, and boy did we make some.

The Superior Dome Showdown was everything right about college athletics.
 
Go 'Cats. Go Spartans. Thank you, Coach Izzo.

Sincerely, 
Matt Majkrzak