Athletics

Altoona alumnus' good works land him in the thick of March Madness

Joel Redfoot laughs with participants from Special Olympics of Indiana during his time at the 2015 March Madness Final Four competition. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Editor's note: Earlier this year, Altoona alumnus Joel Redfoot was voted to the 2015 Allstate/National Association of Basketball Coaches Good Works Team. As a member, he was able to travel to Indianapolis to attend the March NCAA Men's Final Four where he was recognized. Redfoot recounts his experience here.  

The Final Four for men’s college basketball is one of the greatest sporting spectacles in America. For years I had talked with my father, Keith, about one day going. Every year come March Madness time I would tell him “one of these years.”

That opportunity came this year when nine great young men and I received an award on behalf of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and NCAA corporate sponsor Allstate.

When we all met Friday afternoon, April 3, at the hotel and got to talking, the first thing we all thought of — after saying how cool it was going to be — was how we all felt that there were so many other great young men who could be there with all the work that others do. The group of guys had gone on mission trips to other countries, worked in schools with younger kids where they were teachers and also basketball coaches, and created programs on campus to better their schools. These young men were a memorable and highly touted group for a reason. We got to share the moment with a family member so we all brought our fathers or brothers to experience the moments with us.

We spent some time together Friday night and went to a dinner in our honor. Instead of socializing with everyone there, the guys and I went into the game room and played foosball and "Mario Kart" on Wii. We were told of a guest speaker but no one had the slightest clue who until we went to be seated for dinner. While we all sat there talking, in walks NCAA men’s basketball commentary legend Dick Vitale. All 10 of us were in awe of the sight of Dick Vitale, so of course we had to get a picture and talk with the man!

Dickie V talked to the group for about 20 minutes about his journey to becoming one of the greatest commentators. He spoke of tough times, hard work, and always showing a smile and not letting others know when you are down so that it does not bring others down. Thankfully, Dickie V opened with an explanation of his famous kiss with actress Ashley Judd. Everyone in the room wanted answers and he brought the room to tears in laughter. It was simple to him: he was being himself.

Saturday, April 4, was a long day for the crew. We left the hotel at 7:30 a.m. and met up with the Special Olympics of Indiana. All 10 of us were given an assignment to either run a hoop or, as was the case with me and Malcolm Brogdon from the University of Virginia, serve as “commissioners.” Everyone was greeted at the beginning by two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, 2000 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and National Champion Mateen Cleaves from Michigan State. Cleaves spoke about handling adversity and pushing through the worst of times.

All of us had a blast taking in the moments with the athletes. There were many high fives exchanged, and at the end of the event, we hopped back on the bus to drive to Lucas Oil Stadium to participate in a walk-through for our ceremony on the floor during the Kentucky versus Wisconsin semifinal game. I had told family friend and Griffith Family Foundation Chairperson Cathy Griffith a few weeks prior that I would do something special during my time on the floor and that she needed to be watching. Cathy is in charge of Sideline Cancer, an initiative for pancreatic cancer. I took a picture of my Sideline Cancer shirt and sent it to Cathy asking how it looked and at that point nearly spilled the beans as to what I was going to do. We were told that we would be wearing our jerseys so I had to think fast as to how I would pull off having the shirt during the moment. We all had warm-up jackets so I figured I would tuck it in the front and all would be set.

After the walk-through, we went over to Fan Fest at the Indiana Convention Center. All I have to say about that building is that it is MASSIVE. There were basketball hoops set up for events, hockey goals, a golf driving simulator, football throw, home run contest, soccer goals, you name it and it was there. So many fans packed the large room, but since our group did not have much time, we got to go to the front of the line and still received the prizes that everyone else had to earn. We all felt slightly bad about it, but we were given permission because of our credentials. We were treated like celebrities in the lines.

We made the walk over to the stadium from the Convention Center to watch the first of two national semifinals, Duke vs Michigan State. Saying I was thrilled for this game would be an understatement. Coach K (Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski) is one of, if not the greatest, of all-time so there is a level of respect for him, but I would not ever say I like Duke. (As a lifelong North Carolina fan, that would be a crime!) I was more excited to witness Coach K coach than his team actually play. If there is one takeaway from that game, it is that Coach K knows how to get his young team ready and that they are big, strong and fast.

Kentucky was trying to make history and end the season 40-0 but they had to win their last two games. Kentucky fans filled the stadium of nearly 75,000 with at least 50,000 if not more. There was a clear distinction of Kentucky Blue and Wisconsin Red. We knew the game would be loud, but not as loud as it got. Sound reverberated in the closed-roof stadium.

During the 12-minute timeout of the second half, we took to the floor to be honored. While we stood courtside waiting for the timeout, my friends from home kept calling my phone because I made the mistake of telling them when I would be going on the floor. Everyone took off their warm-up jacket, and I was left holding a Sideline Cancer shirt now, not knowing how I would put it on the floor with me.

I figured I might have to look like I’m wearing a skirt and tuck it in the front of my warm-up pants. No sooner did I start doing that, then we were given trophies. We were all surprised but, hey, if you want to hand us a trophy that has our name on it, don’t mind if I do! So at that point I got on a knee and started folding my shirt so that only the words could be seen. There was a ledge on the trophy and I placed the shirt on the front end as we were walking up the steps onto the raised floor. I was second to walk on the floor behind Dominic Romeo of Santa Clara, and I really wanted to get a selfie with the Kentucky bench during the timeout, but that did not go as planned. The moment felt surreal in front of thousands in the stadium and millions watching at home. It felt like a dream, but we were really there. All eyes were on the 10 of us.

As I was coming off the floor, my phone started to blow up like crazy. Hours of non-stop “Hey, I just saw you on TV!” It was truly special but what stuck out most were the texts and voicemails about the Sideline Cancer shirt on the floor with me. I’m a man of my word so when I told Cathy I would do something special —only I knew what and when it would all happen — I could not stop thinking about how the message of Sideline Cancer spread to millions. It no longer was about me, it was about Sideline Cancer. I do not like being the center of attention, but for that moment, I was given the perfect stage to do something, not for me, but for all those battling cancer, and all who have battled and their loved ones.

I would have loved for Kentucky to win and go on to make history by going undefeated, but it was not meant to be as they lost to Wisconsin in an amazing game that kept the entire crowd engaged for the full 40 minutes.

We had another busy day Sunday following an Easter brunch. My father and I met up with Sam Pugh of Pittsburg State and his father, and Karl Barkley of Swarthmore and his father. We talked about our future goals and where we’ve been and the like. Those guys engaged me with their stories. We were a main attraction at Fan Fest, signing autographs for the fans. During that time we witnessed a lay-up, free throw and 3-pointer contest where the contestant had 30 seconds to make one of each. At the end of our time there, a surprise marriage proposal took place and had the fans in the Convention Center on their feet applauding the newly-engaged couple.

Following the proposal, we got all fancied-up and went to the awards show that honored some of the players and coaches. Because I left my dress shoes in Altoona, I had to wear my basketball shoes on stage and for the award show. Tim Brando of Fox Sports made it a point to call me out on the shoes and brought the audience to laughter. It would have been easy to be embarrassed but instead I took it in and laughed as well because there was not a thing I could do about it but enjoy the moment.

We got to see and hear the two national championship coaches, Coach K of Duke and Coach (Bo) Ryan of Wisconsin. At the beginning of the show, our chaperone, Chad, from Allstate, who was responsible for so much of the fun we had during the trip, sent a group message to us asking who would get the best selfie with a coach. The challenge was underway as we were backstage waiting to go on and be honored. Standing there was Kentucky head coach John Calipari. We all got individual selfies with coach Calipari and I managed to stay there talking to him for a few minutes about Clarion because I went there as a freshman and my father was a freshman basketball player during coach Calipari’s senior year.

The awards show had concluded and we were upstairs in a large ballroom grabbing snacks and talking to people about our community service and accepting congratulations on the prestigious honor we received. Since they introduced us individually during the awards show and shared details about our community service, the audience knew who did what. I had folks coming up to me asking me about Sideline Cancer, and I knew I was being given another platform to speak on behalf of the organization, so I took advantage of it.

There came a point when I was meeting with Boston Celtics and NBA legend John Havlicek, and he was asking me all these questions, and I said, “Sir, I think we have this backwards. You are the legend and all-time great. I think I should be asking you all the questions.” There was some laughter but I was beyond flattered. To me, it was a bit uncomfortable to have such a spotlight on me, but what good would it have done for me to go sit in a corner and not speak with people? So I took the opportunity to speak to everyone.

On Monday morning, we were honored again by Allstate with a brunch that was led by NBA and college great Grant Hill and commentating legend Bill Raftery. They spoke to the audience as we sat front and center. We took it all in and the two great men were asking us about our community service and experiences to that point. Karl Barkley of Swarthmore brought the crowd to tears with laughter with an accurate impersonation of Dick Vitale. Hill and Raftery really seemed engaged and eager to learn about us all. Raftery might be one of the funniest people I have ever met. He was very quick-witted and never broke stride as the audience took in his jokes.

After shopping for souvenirs, we went back to the hotel and grabbed basketball gear to go to the local YMCA. Eight of the honorees went and a few of their brothers as well. We were given use of the full floor for two hours, and at one point, Michael Obacha of Appalachian State took an alley-oop behind my head on a fast break. Thankfully I saw it coming and avoided being on a poster. During pick-up basketball you can see the competitive side of guys, a side that we had yet to see of each other. Kevin Alter of Navy is a true general in every sense of the word. We were all opened to a new side of each other.

After pick-up, we went back to the hotel to change quickly and head back to Fan Fest where we had a few hours to kill before the opening tip-off of Duke versus Wisconsin in the championship game. It did not take me long to realize why I had stopped playing baseball and why I am no good at golf, I will leave it at that. But the entire experience was fun. We went over to the stadium and grabbed our seats for the game. I bought my friend a Duke Final Four shirt since he is a big fan. In doing so, it put me behind the group but gave me a chance to meet Reggie Miller briefly off-air during the pre-game show.

The national championship game was everything I expected: packed crowd, loud, Duke Blue, Wisconsin Red, unbelievable atmosphere. The top two players in the country were going at it for college basketball’s top prize. At that point, I had no favorites. I was just a spectator hoping for a great game. And a great game it was. Much like the Kentucky versus Wisconsin semifinal, the teams left nothing on the table. Everything was poured out onto the floor and all of us got to enjoy it. Duke would go on to win the championship and just feeling that atmosphere tops it all.

Following the game, all the honorees and Chad from Allstate went to Steak ’n Shake. As we had all weekend, we shared stories, shared laughs, enjoyed ourselves and realized that we were all selected for a reason. The bond that we had all created was a tight one. It seemed as though we had all known each other for so long but in reality, it was only a few days.

In every picture we took, we were tight, with arms around one another like brothers. We all care more for doing good for others and our communities than other things. The young men I was with have their priorities straight and are bound for success. All things considered, this group, led by Chad from Allstate, will be the closest group of recipients for the prestigious Good Works Team presented by Allstate and the NABC.

When people talk of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, going to the NCAA Final Four is one of those. There was zero chance of missing out on this opportunity. Getting to share the experience with my father made it all the more special. I could not have asked for anything more or better.

As I have told everyone who has asked me about the trip, I will never have a reason to complain again. I am blessed, and will forever remember and cherish the trip I got to take, and all the amazing young men who I got to spend it with, as well as all the great people I met.

Joel Redfoot holding the Griffith Family Foundation’s Sideline Cancer T-shirt. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated July 29, 2015