My love for college basketball came from my dad, Kurt Engel, who passed away in January 2023. He was a great father and I miss him. Some of my most treasured memories of Dad are going to Syracuse games with him. He made going to and watching games feel like a big deal. While I was a student at Ohio University, he became an instant Bobcat fan and loved visiting Athens and going to games. Each year he looked forward to March Madness and savored each upset (except for when Syracuse was the victim). Dad reveled in telling stories of Syracuse teams and players from his early life and going to games at Manley Field House with his grandfather. One of Dad’s last requests was to visit Manley one more time. My brother, Mark, and I took him in March 2022. While visiting, we were able to meet current Syracuse players and coaches, including new head coach Adrian Autry. Dad told Adrian “You’re the future,” which put a big smile on Adrian’s face.
I am grateful for the time Dad and I had together, the many lessons he taught his children, and for how he shared his passion for college basketball.
I am grateful for the time Dad and I had together, the many lessons he taught his children, and for how he shared his passion for college basketball.