A win for both a team and a school

Last night, I was pleased to see that LSU took out Ohio State in the BCS Championship game, but something else I saw during that telecast warmed my heart even more.

You see, during the halftime show, there was also the presentation of the grand prize for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance, a prize that usually went to one of four major Division 1A programs week in and week out. So I was more than pleasantly surprised to see that amongst the 4 finalists for the larger seasonal prize of 100 thousand dollars, there were two programs from the lower divisions... and considering that there were only 3 such teams out of 52 during the entire season, that is a really stunning turn of events.

So not only did Division 1AA Appalachian State get a nod for their upstart victory over then #5 Michigan, but a little Division III school in San Antonio, Trinity University, who pulled off one of the most improbable plays I've ever seen was also a finalist.

And then the winner was announced... and it was the underdog, the little school that could, Trinity University, and now they have 100 thousand more dollars for their general scholarship fund. It doesn't affect me personally, but the idea that a small school that offers a first rate education can now help a few more people who would otherwise not be able to attend get in warms my heart. A great play and a wonderful outcome... how can you go wrong?

Tags: game changing performance, trinity university, san antonio, division III, millsap, michigan, ohio state, lsu, appalachian state, football, national championship