Stardate 03.27.2026
Before I begin today’s reflection, I want to wish my sister a very happy birthday down in Arizona. March has always felt like our family’s version of March Madness. So many birthdays. So many new babies joining the extended family. So much life happening all at once.
Yesterday added another memory to that list.
I asked my boss if I could leave a little early so I could join my family at our son’s home to watch opening day for the San Diego Padres. By the time I arrived in the third inning, things were not going well. The Detroit Tigers had exploded in the first inning. It felt like we had walked into a storm already in progress. Final score: 8–2.
But something interesting happened.
Nobody cared.
We were together. Laughing. Talking. Watching. Enjoying the moment for what it was instead of what we hoped it would be.
That’s when my son gave one of those summaries that only sons can give.
“Dad, the team is for sale. Maybe a new owner will open his checkbook and add what we need. Besides, there are 161 games left. Let’s turn our attention to the Hawkeyes. Sweet 16. Single elimination. We haven’t been here since before I was born. Both teams have new coaches. One of us is going to the Elite 8 tonight.”
And just like that, our family double-header began.
We turned our attention to the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball facing their long-time rivals, the Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball.
For 38 minutes, either Nebraska led or the game was tied. Every time Iowa tied it, Nebraska answered. Three-point shots were falling on both sides, reminiscent of the long-range magic we’ve watched from Caitlin Clark over the past few years.
Then, with just over two minutes remaining, Iowa took its first lead of the entire game.
And then came the moment none of us will ever forget.
Nebraska accidentally had only four players on the court during an inbounds play under their own basket. Our players on the floor saw it immediately. They began pointing frantically downcourt to a wide-open teammate past mid-court.
The pass was thrown.
Boom.
It felt like a Hail Mary in basketball form.
The lead widened. The clock ticked down. Final score: 77–71.
We were on our feet, shouting like children.
My son turned to me and said, “Dad, this is a top three moment in our lives.”
We stayed for the post-game interviews. Both coaches spoke with deep respect for one another. When Nebraska’s players were asked about the four-man breakdown, their coach stepped in, took full responsibility, and praised his team for reaching the Sweet 16 — something no Nebraska team had done before.
That moment stayed with me.
Leadership.
Ownership.
Belief.
Here is Iowa with a first-year coach who had never coached at this level before. Not hired because of pedigree, but because of belief — belief in his ability to bring out the best in his players.
And here we are witnessing something that feels like the beginning of a legacy.
Iowa has long been known for wrestling. For football. The women’s team gave us one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. And now the men’s team is being called the Cinderella story of the tournament.
All because someone believed in the right leader.
All because a group of young men believed in that leader.
All because, for 40 minutes, they refused to stop believing.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
As for our family, we will be back together on Saturday, watching history continue to unfold.
Win or lose.
Together.
Captain’s Addendum
Spock: “Fascinating, Captain. A team’s belief in its leader appears to alter statistical probability.”
Bones: “I’d say it’s less about probability and more about heart, Spock.”
I smiled at that exchange in my mind.
Because yesterday wasn’t really about basketball or baseball.
It was about family. Leadership. Belief. And the joy of witnessing something together that we’ll talk about for years to come.
Join me here:
https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong
Mission Log complete.
Grateful for moments like this.
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