Believe

"We Ain't Done Yet. Believe." -Shaka Smart

VCU did what people thought was impossible. Playing in a play-in-game otherwise known as the first ever First Four game and went all the way to the Final Four beating teams that doubters thought would wipe the floor with them.

You know why they're here? Believe.

If you’re good, you would have got rid of us.

If we didn’t belong, we would have shut the door.

If you doubt, we believe.

Hence why we’re in the Final Four.

Never doubt the word “believe”.

One word. Powerful meaning.

It fuels desires, hopes, and work to dreams.

The outcome is phenomenal. inspiring. supreme.

But it’s not just about belief, it comes with work.

Sleepless nights, physical punishment, and mental beatings.

As long you don’t dream with dark shades.

The work will make you mediocre pain fade.

Who Believes? MJ.

He thought he was the greatest. And he is.

Working, believing, and ignoring the doubt of the rest.

Rewarded with those 6 rings in his H.OF. set.

Who Believes? Maynor.

A young kid with the dream to play in the NBA.

Believing that he will walk the stage on draft night.

Now he is in the OKC, shooting with the occasional juke.

Not a believer? Just ask Duke.

Who Believes? Sanders.

Using what he had to dominate the glass.

Posterizing players with his dunking hits.

Blessed with his arm length and his drive to win.

No wonder the Bucks decide to let him in.

Who Believes? Rodriguez.

He might be short. His heart, gigantic.

Fueled with an emotional time bomb that rapidly ticks.

Leading his troops on the court where they aren’t welcome

Walking out with the nets as a parting gift.

59, 74, 94, 72, 71.

You a believer now? Jump on the bandwagon.

USC, Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State, Kansas.

Applications are now due.

This is something special here.

Especially for the members of Ram Nation.

The Nation doubted these boys could play and choke.

Now those doubters are full of crow.

Ram Nation is strong, energetic, and believe.

Hence why they rock black shoes and golden tees.

They believe in Bradford. They believe in Skeen.

They believe in Nixon. They believe in Rodriguez.

They believe in Reddic. They believe in Haley.

They believe in Brandenburg. They believe in Daniels.

They believe in Theus. They believe Hinton.

They believe in Rozzell. They believe Veal.

They believe in McCarter. They believe in Houston.

They believe in Shaka. They believe in Swag.

This is something that no one can claim was done.

From the First Four to the Final Four.

They’re not Mason, Butler, or even Indiana State.

It’s called VCU and representing this great state.

Believe.

It’s a powerful thing.

Willing to work off of it makes it true.

When everyone around continues to doubt you.

They believe. Ram Nation believes.

Now the spotlight gets bigger.

People still don’t believe but that’s okay.

These boys are working on championship day.

Swag is at all-time high. At times, it feels like you’re gonna fly.

All the way to Houston and still survive.

Playing in a game where everyone will be on the feet.

The tip is here. Show them that you can’t be beat.

Black. Gold. That’s the code the Nation lives by.

We may say it. We may bleed it. We all believe it.

No one said it’s an easy task.

But if you believe. The task drops like broken glass.

Congrats to VCU and Ram Nation!!! GO RAMS!!!

PSA: Delay from the Madness

It's March Madness Baby!!!

Hence why I haven't been on Moternative in quite sometime.

VCU somehow by the grace of the selection committee got the chance to play in the NCAA tournament and they have proved that they belonged by making it all the way to the Sweet 16!!!

While defeating teams such as USC, Georgetown, and Purdue?!?! Yeah...it's been a historical accomplishment by the Rams; first time EVER this far into the NCAA tournament.

So...yeah. I'm currently busy with celebrating and cheering them on to victory with all the other hussles and bussles of my regular life.

Plus I was on Spring Break...so I kind of fell of the face of the planet for a week as well lol.

But that's why you haven't really heard from me the past few weeks...don't worry I will return to the poetic world of friendship, trust, and emotion known as Moternative sooner than later.

Once my return is official...then I will be back on the regular giving the good word, focus, and motivational wisdom that you come here to witness.

Until that time has arrived, I'm engulfed in the March Madness and Black & Gold fever!!!

SWEET 16 BABY!!! WOO-HOO!!!
GO RAMS!!!

Hope you kiddos are enjoying yourselves as much as I am right now. :D

I'll be back home to Moternative soon.
One Love.

Recovering From The Epic

"Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game." -Michael Jordan

And oh I did this previous weekend.

During this weekend of the CAA tournament I enjoyed myself and then-some. For those that have no idea what this "tournament" is or what the CAA stands for...here's some quick information.

CAA stands for Colonial Athletic Association. This is a college basketball conference that is considered as a Mid-Major. What does that mean? You know those big names like UNC, Duke, Connecticut, Texas, Syracuse? Yeah...they are in Major conferences. Mid-Major is basically like the second division of collegiate basketball.

But anyway...it was a 4 day tournament at the Richmond Coliseum and I got myself and my significant other tickets for. We had a blast sitting down and just watching 12 schools play hoops while having the occasional adult beverages during the madness.

Now of course as most of you know I'm a VCU fan. So when it was our turn to play, I got super excited, loud, adrenaline pumping, and just flat out scary to others surrounding me in the stands. From the buzzer beater by my boy Jamie Skeen to beat Drexel, to the stomping of ranked opponent George Mason; I was really enjoying myself and happy to rep the Black and Gold of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Unfortunately, Old Dominion beat VCU in the final to win the tournament this year but I was still happy with my team and the tournament overall. We were ranked number 4 so we weren't even suppose to be in the final lol. So that was impressive.

Now the recovering part...I sweat up a storm during that weekend, ate a bunch of fast food from a variety of places, enjoyed my share of beer and screwdrivers and other consumptions of alcohol, lost my voice, lost a few pounds, and flat out just enjoyed my weekend.

I had fun in a losing effort. Of course, I would have been stoked if we won the entire thing and locked a spot in the NCAA tournament in March. But alas, we will just wait til Selection Sunday to see if VCU is going dancing.

But until then....I'll enjoy my time at the Coliseum with fans from VCU, ODU, JMU, William & Mary, Towson, Drexel, Northeastern, Georgia State, Hofstra, Delaware, UNCW, and Delaware. Thanks for the memories.

Hope you people enjoyed yourselves now and in the future...

Back to our regularly scheduled program of life. :P

H.A.V.O.C.

"The Rams thrive in the spotlight as being called the underdog. You would think the other schools in the CAA would have figure that out by now." -Kazie

This poem is dedicated to my VCU Rams who will be playing in the CAA tournament this weekend for a shot at winning the tourney and representing the CAA in the NCAA tournament in March Madness.

People that know me personally or follow me on Twitter (@ShadowKazie) knows that I'm a HUGE fan of VCU Athletics. So this special poem is dedicate to those representing us this weekend.

GO RAMS!

Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to the finale.

Take a look around, happy to be here?

I hope not.

I hope to God that you’re not.

The road to championship has already begun.

And it tends to get more dramatic with every turn.

12 schools coming for that title.

Last one standing wins.

From the scrappy Dukes of Madison,

To the dominating Patriots of Mason.

The fiery Dragons reaching for it,

And the hungry Rams going full throttle.

You are part of something special here.

One of the entertaining tourneys on Earth.

With teams hungry willing to fight for everything.

Along with fans strapped in their seats on the sides.

So prepare your wardrobe.

Your energetic Gold mixed with no fear Black.

The screams that will shake the bleachers.

And those stomps made for floor breaking.

The players aren’t down. Actually, they’re thriving.

They feed off the emotions of the moment.

3 games, 3 wins is their mindset.

No time for distractions…one game at a time.

Is winning really everything?

Well my answer is as follows…

ASK YOURSELF THE DAMN QUESTION!

Is winning the only thing you want?

Is it what you want?

Do you want to be remembered as a winner?

Or as something that threw the towel?

The heart. The mental toughness.

That’s what this moment is about.

The stage is set. It’s time to step up.

Don’t dream about the future. That won’t get it done.

Work hard. Work hard on the hardwood.

That’s how you do it.

On this stage. It’s not just another game.

It’s a moment that can define you forever.

The Nation is with you.

We’ve been there for the good and bad.

Of course, bandwagons have left the stage.

The real fans keep the faith and await.

3 games. Focus on unleashing HAVOC.

Make this mean something.

Be one with the court.

And make every bucket count.

11 teams wants you gone.

Show them you earned your spot.

Prove how much you want it.

Again, Prove how much you want it.

Make this your finest hour.

I’ll be waiting.

GO RAMS GO!