There are times where I know what you all are thinking, "Martin has got to be one of the most negative fans ever."
Yeah, I get it. And I'm not discounting that at times. I'm disillusioned. Rooting for Cleveland and Wake Forest is taxing. I'm only 24. It shouldn't be this way.
So I decided to do something I don't do enough: reflect. And I'm glad I did.
Despite a lot of bad news, unfortunate circumstances and sour moments, there is still plenty to be thankful for as a Demon Deacon fan in 2011...
1.) Tanner Price, Chris Givens, Josh Harris, Michael Campanaro and the Wake offense-- Deez doods are fun to watch. I rail on Lobo from time to time, but there are some real playmakers in this offense, and when it gets going, it's a thing of beauty. Assuming Givens comes back next year, the o-line improves and J-Roc gets right, things should be even brighter in the future.
2.) Travis McKie -- There weren't a lot of positives to the 2010-2011 basketball season, but McKie shined. He's a truly special player for the Old Gold and Black. This season, he picked up right where he left off, and in an always-talented league, Travis is one of the best in the ACC.
3.) Chase Fischer -- Shooters gonna shoot. And Chase will have plenty of opportunities to do so this season. It is going to be fun to watch him grow as a player.
4.) The Super 6 -- Darkest Before Dawn and all that jazz. Arnaud Moto, Codi Miller-McIntyre, Devin Thomas, Tyler Cavanaugh, Aaron Rountree and Andre Washington compose the future of the Demon Deacons. Although my expectations are tempered after the five-man 2010 class is already down to three, these six players seem like a special bunch. They're easy to root for, talented, and reload WFU when it needs it most.
5.) Soccer and Golf -- With basketball and football down last year, it gave a spotlight to other Wake Forest sports, and man, a few shined. The Lady Deacs are tearing it up in both golf and soccer, and the men's teams are trending up.
6.) The Wake Forest Community -- We've been through a lot. But if there's one thing I've learned as a Cleveland fan: ordeals bring fans closer together. I've gotten to know some really great people in the last year, on Twitter, on BSD, on the message boards, in tailgates, and elsewhere, and I'm still as proud as ever to be a Demon Deacon.