April is always a good point to reset my sports fandom.
Illinois Basketball
We started off strong. For the first time in 21 years, Illinois basketball made the Final Four. We knew we had a strong team, but we feared being run over by Houston in the Sweet 16. But I was never so happy to be wrong. We then lucked out by only having to face Iowa instead of Florida in the Elite Eight. That led to a Final Four matchup with UConn in Indianapolis.
We only live three hours from Indy, so it seemed like an obvious event to attend. Unfortunately, it was the Saturday night before Easter and I struggled to get my friends to go. Thankfully, my oldest said they wanted to go, so we attended my first Final Four ever.
I got back into my ticket-buying mindset and knew that if I waited, I would be able to get a deal. The interesting part was that prices were actually relatively affordable before the Elite Eight, and there was probably a reselling opportunity there. However, they started significantly dropping days before the game. The night before, there was even a box on the floor for under $2,000. I couldn’t do it because, even though that is what you might have paid for a 500-level seat the week before, you could now get into the game for under $400.
We were definitely far away from the court, but we got to see Illinois lose a close game to UConn first. Then there was an epic matchup between Michigan and Arizona. Well, it was supposed to be. We left early in the second half after Michigan was up over twenty.
It was a season to remember, and my Keaton Wagler tracksuit will be a part of my wardrobe forever.
Bears
My Bears made the playoffs in 2025, and I got to see Caleb beat the Packers in person. With Ben Johnson, it feels like there is a new era coming, but I’m not sure if we will be like the Lions and flame out, or if we can truly build an improved organization.
I had to make the decision of what to do with my Dad’s season tickets. He had been a season ticket holder for over a decade, and we saw a few games together. I have many memories of going to sporting events with my Dad, but I just don’t want to deal with the hassle, and there’s no one else in the family who would want to go to the games with me.
The draft is coming up, and for the first time in a while, they will not pick until the twenties. I hope last year wasn’t a fluke and it is something we are building on.
Illinois Football
Another bowl game victory for the Illinois football team! Unfortunately, I feel this is their ceiling. They just can’t seem to compete with the elite athletes that OSU and Michigan can draw.
F1
2025 was one of the best F1 seasons in a while. As a Max fan, I was bummed that he was not competing early in the year, but I was pumped to see the second-half turnaround. He looked like the Max of old and was winning races and competing. The championship came down to the last race, and I had a great time.
This year has started off even worse than last year. It is a new year with new regulations, and Red Bull is working with a new engine maker (Ford). Mercedes and Ferrari seem to be on a different level than the other teams, and Max seems pretty disappointed in the regulations. Races have already been cancelled because of the Middle East wars, and this looks like a season to miss.
I no longer plan on making an F1 voyage in 2026.
Cubs
That leaves the Cubs as our only hope for joy this summer. They overperformed last year and had a few members on the WBC teams. PCA has signed an extension, and it definitely inspires hope. They could possibly face the juggernaut Dodgers in the championship game, but they could also be fighting with the Brewers for the NL Central title.
They have already started the year 4-5 with some losses against mediocre teams. Cade Horton is already injured, and I fear it is officially Bears season this summer.
