In Raleigh, North Carolina, a heartfelt scene unfolded as 9-year-old Silas Lind, son of Mount St. Mary’s coach Donny Lind, faced a room full of reporters, eager to express his feelings about the NCAA Tournament journey. His father had just finished an emotional interview following Mount St. Mary’s loss to Duke, reflecting on the meaning of having his son involved in the team’s journey as a 16th seed in the prestigious tournament.
Silas, clearly touched by the experiences of the past weeks, softly declared, “These have been the best few weeks of my life,” even as he struggled to keep his emotions in check, much like his father had a moment before. “And I hope we have many, many more of them.”
This gentle moment of family connection stood out amidst the intense atmosphere of March Madness, which is often marked by looming TV contracts and the pressures of conference reorganization in college sports. For smaller programs like Mount St. Mary’s, these are the cherished moments when they shine briefly under the national spotlight, capturing the essence of this widely anticipated event each spring.
Reflecting on the time spent together during this journey, Coach Lind shared, “It’s amazing,” his voice heavy with emotion. “This is a hard business for us as fathers, very difficult. So to be able to bring him with me — my wife and my daughter are here, too — it’s been a blast.” He acknowledged how much Silas enjoyed missing school and playing on the court, relishing every moment of being part of the team.
Silas had become somewhat of a local celebrity, gaining attention for his presence at games and practices, often seen on the bench during home games. His inclusion in the team’s environment was highlighted during a broadcast segment in their victory against American in the First Four.
Post-game, following the 93-49 defeat to the Blue Devils, Silas accompanied his father and Mountaineers’ players Dola Adebayo, Arlandus Keyes, and Xavier Lipscomb to the postgame press conference. Sitting on his father’s knee, Silas listened as Coach Lind offered opening remarks. When players returned to the locker room, he took a seat next to his father, sharing in the reflective moment.
Struggling to find the right words as his feelings bubbled to the surface, Coach Lind spoke of sharing this journey with his loved ones, both family, and team. “To share it with the people I love the most, with my family and, shoot, those guys in the locker room has been unbelievable,” he remarked.
He encouraged Silas to share his own thoughts on the experience, highlighting how much joy his son found in participating, especially during home games. “You should see him at home games when he’s allowed to be on the bench. He’s having a lot of fun. That’s what our program’s about.”
When it was finally Silas’s turn to speak, Coach Lind warmly encouraged, “You’re up, bud.” After Silas voiced his feelings, his father gently ruffled his son’s hair, pulling him in for a hug, marking another unforgettable March memory.