Certificate of Investment in George Mason Basketball

Kyle Whelliston, mid-major guru, and his Mid-Majority.com have returned for another season of mid-major college basketball. His site is always a good read and I highly recommend it to anyone that reads this blog.

Stop by Mid-Majority.com and use their site to customize your own "certificate of investment" (like the one above) and prove to everyone that you were your loyal to George Mason Basketball before any stunning upset wins occur this season. Man this would have been cool at the start of the '05-'06 season.

The Mid Majority (TMM) explains the purpose of the certificate:

The NCAA Tournament is a time when a lot of folks go "underdog shopping." They're looking for the next best out-of-nowhere story, the team most likely to spring the 15-over-2 upset. They want to know who the "next George Mason" is, and who has the weirdest and most lovable mascot. They want to cherry-pick their way into a big sports experience.

...those come-latelies will never feel the same overwhelming emotions that students, alumni and true fans will. An afternoon of internet research in a cubicle can't possibly measure up to months and years of hoping and wishing; buying a last-minute t-shirt will never replace the investment of sitting through October exhibition games and hanging on every possession.

...

But now, right here, this is the time to get on the ride.

Because if you don't ride the whole ride, you won't get the full high.

...

But who's going to believe you five months from now? Don't worry. For the first time ever, TMM has a way for you to prove that you were here, at the beginning. It's fast, fun... and unlike most of the stuff on this site, free. You will be a confirmed and certified fan, with a document as real as anything Price Waterhouse has ever issued.

This document is court-of-law solid...

During the season, your boys might pop up from time to time here on The Mid-Majority...

When March arrives, and it will in four short months, your team's season might end in a conference tourney somewhere. You'll feel the kind of big, yummy heartache that will make you want to come back for more next year. Or maybe, just maybe, those players you've invested your energy and effort will cut down those nets and move on to the Big Dance.

When they do, and when they pull that giant 15-over-2 upset, I want you to hold up that certificate proudly in the Buffalo Wild Wings or the arena or your cubicle. I want you to show the world that you belong among the true believers, because you were there when it all started.

"I was there for the whole thing," you'll say. "My joy is real, and nobody can ever doubt it."