There are few moments in a man’s life that are more important than winning 100 team national championships ““ the birth of his first child, his first and second viewings of “Anchorman,” and any time he gets a Double-Double combo meal from In-N-Out.
Or so I thought.
Before the women’s water polo team won its third consecutive national championship and UCLA’s 100th on Sunday, I thought finally winning No. 100 would change my life. I thought I would be a changed man.
It didn’t and I’m not.
I just feel a couple days older.
Let’s be real. No. 100 just doesn’t mean what it used to.
Being the first to No. 100 is a nice accomplishment, really it is. But ask any of the women’s water polo players if that was on their minds as Stanford started a short-lived comeback on Sunday, and I guarantee you it was not. I seriously doubt that, with the title on the line and the ball heading toward her, Bruin goalkeeper Emily Feher thought, “You know what? It would be really great to save this one for UCLA’s No. 100.”
Not only did the players probably not think about it at all while in the pool, but coach Adam Krikorian didn’t even talk to them as a team about it all season.
Maybe Krikorian didn’t want to be bad luck to the other teams that had shots at it before the water polo team did, or maybe he didn’t want to jinx his own team. Its importance to him on the totem pole of things was probably just below making sure to floss.
Now I’m no women’s water polo player, but I’m guessing they wanted to win another championship to prove that they are indeed the best team in the country and to solidify their place as one of the most dominating dynasties of all time. This desire to be the best is what drove this team all season, not the idea of adding “First to 100″ on the floor of Pauley Pavilion. Winning the school’s 100th is simply icing on the cake.
I’m not saying No. 100 isn’t a cool milestone.
On the scale from Steve Urkel to a custom-made Ferrari, it’s like shaving ““ it’s pretty sweet the first time and you remember it for a while, but then you accidently cut your face and you’re over it. People will remember that UCLA was the first school to 100 for a little while, then the next milestone will come up.
Does anyone remember who was the first to 50? How about 10? Who even won the first NCAA Championship ever? I have no idea. These types of numerical milestones are only important because someone a long time ago decided that “100” sounds a lot cooler than “87” or “109.”
As expected, the celebrations are already underway to commemorate this historic accomplishment. Let’s not overdo it.
Sure, the joint rally today to celebrate both winning the Lexus Gauntlet and 100 championships is worthwhile for all those who care deeply about these sorts of things. But tacking on special logos for all of our teams to wear next year? That’s just unnecessary. Instead of the “First to 100″ logo, let’s find a way to insert dry-erase boards on every sports jersey and keep a running tally.
It’ll be much more timely after Tuesday, when the men’s tennis team brings home No. 101.
E-mail Feder at jfeder@media.ucla.edu if you just cut yourself while shaving and trying to read this column.