March Madness fun for local couple

Alan and Dani Wolfe of Post Falls are an athletic pair ... running, hiking, golfing, Ironman and coaching youth sports. They’re engaged and enthusiastic grandparents, cheering on their scholar/athlete grandson, Dylan Wolfe, as he plays football and runs track for Post Falls High School.

So it wasn’t surprising that the couple signed on to be NCAA Tournament team “hosts” for opening weekend in Spokane. They were assigned a men’s team from 2,600 miles east of here, Yale University.

According to Alan, their role as team hosts for the Yale Bulldogs included being a local contact for the players, coaches and staff. Of course, Dani, who’s an excellent cook and hostess, made 60 goodie bags filled with home-baked cookies, Rice Krispy treats, cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, granola bars and candy. They attended practices, gave rides when needed and cheered loudly from the stands as Yale (No. 13) took on the No. 4 team Auburn in the first round Friday night. It was a nail-biter of a game with the Bulldogs in a stunning 78-76 victory. But alas, their March Madness run ended Sunday when they fell to last year’s national championship runner-up San Diego State.

The Wolfes helped out a bit after the team’s disappointing loss, setting up the delivered pizza at the hotel. It was a reminder that these teams are just kids, competitive young men thousands of miles away from home experiencing disappointment on a national stage.

Dani told me it was such a nice group of young men, coaches and staff who said it was a great experience at the end of the day. They expressed appreciation for our area and all of the hospitality they received, including the University of Idaho band stepping up to fill in for Yale’s pep band, which couldn’t make the trip.

A fun side note for Dani was Yale’s starting 7-foot, 255-pound center sharing her name. Danny Wolf, a 19-year-old sophomore, was described by Sports Illustrated as having many skills that would translate well at the NBA level.

On Sunday, I asked Dani if she could get a photo with the other Danny and she said she’d try. Score! The photo accompanying this column is a keeper. Dani Wolfe, 5-foot-7 next to Danny Wolf, 7 feet. I predict the taller of the two will have a professional career if he’s interested.

• • •

Noteworthy observation by the Wolfes from the Spokane Arena when 12-seed Grand Canyon University of Phoenix took to the court against Gonzaga’s arch-rival Saint Mary’s (No. 5). GCU had an entire student section, pep band and fans who traveled to the tournament. Alan and Dani sat right across the aisle from that section during the game and said it was boisterous and energetic and fun to watch. When Grand Canyon ended up with the upset win, Alan described it as “LOUD!”

• • •

Happy Birthday today to Chet Lindquist, Lila Kimm, Theresa Hart, Jamie Green, Katherin Pope, Dan Dunham, Sharon Erickson (80!), Chris Magera, Susan Reynolds, Lynne Wiedemann, Alie Hotchkiss, Ralph Nelson, Irene Bowman and Julie Harris. Tomorrow, Cindy Sweeney, Brandon Clearwaters, James Heilman, Robert Durflinger, Richard Wegner, Chris Camarata and Page Hibbs blow out their candles. Bob Koep, Mary Hawkins and Bo Gerzina celebrate Friday. Saturday birthdays belong to Gloria Weidner, Tabetha Brisbin, Bren Grace and Kathleen Perez (80!). On the last day of March, which is also Easter Sunday, Priscilla Baker, Rick Vernon, Annika Baltzell, Chris Jones, Joey Nowoj, Patrick Reagan, Shirley Christie, Crystal LaFountain, David Holloway and Chris Clayton will enjoy hoppy birthdays. April Fool's birthday wishes to Ed Frazey, Keri Schwenke, Kim Haddock, Candi Applegate, Chris Thompson and Payton Peugh. On Tuesday, Jonathan Owens, Judi Jackson, Dallan Pope, Taylor Huber, Kathy Willy, Beth Barclay, Nell Gordon and Lee Periman are blowing out the birthday candles.

• • •

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.