I SURVIVED THE early morning show bedlam and answered the same ten questions three times in a matter of hours. I even signed a few autographs, which threw me for a loop. Larry stayed by my side up until we returned to the airport for our flight back to Albuquerque and his cell phone rang. One of his star athletes had a crisis and Larry changed his flight and left me on my own.

I send off a quick text message to my college coach saying I'll call once I'm settled. I do the same ...