April, the Greatest Sports Month of the Year

What’s the greatest sports month of the year?

A question that when posed to me in an email sent me immediately into deep thought about different sports and different months that could be the greatest. But after great thought it has become obvious to me that April is hands down the best month for any true sports fan.

The span of events that happen in the month of April cover so many sports and leagues that it is almost impossible for me to even consider any other month.

Let’s take a look over the events that make this month so dominant compared to the other eleven.

I’m going to start first with my favorite group the NASCAR fans. Sure over the course of this April there are only three races but the quality of races is amazing.

Five hundred miles at Texas followed up two weeks later by some exciting short track racing in the Phoenix desert and then onto the fan favorite 2.66 mile super speedway, Talladega.

Three races at three completely different tracks is enough to keep any NASCAR fan happy.

Now what is on the plate for our basketball fans?

Well lets see they get to start the month off with the always exciting Final Four this year being hosted by Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

This year shaping off to be a classic one with two number one seeds, North Carolina and Connecticut, a number two seed, Michigan State, and a number three seed, Villanova. Four teams with 30+ wins will make for one very competitive Final Four.

But wait basketball fans, there’s more! The NBA season is winding to a close and the playoffs are going to start.

With teams like Cleveland, Boston, Los Angeles, and Orlando poised to make strong postseason runs this season’s NBA playoffs won’t disappoint even the casual NBA fan.

The thought of playoffs sparks another thought in many multi-sport fan, hockey!

That’s right April also plays host to the beginning of the NHL playoffs. 16 of the best NHL teams taking on each other for the right to hold the very coveted Stanley Cup high over their heads and take that victory lap around the rink.

A tournament and trophy held in such high regard by those competing that players that never earned one refuse to even be in the same room as the trophy because they feel they aren't worthy.

With the tradition and raw emotion that always fuel the NHL playoffs it never lacks in edge of the seat, heart pumping action.

For even more playoff action one can only take a look across the pond to our friends in Europe who are gearing up for the always thrilling Champions League Quaterfinals.

I know the word “soccer” doesn’t inspire many Americans to tune in and give it a serious watch but this is European futbol. This is futbol the way it is supposed to be played.

Teams like Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and others play their hearts out for a chance at the UEFA Championship. Real sports fans everywhere should give this a good look and a real chance.

For those diehard about football especially the future of their local team, the NFL draft will definitely give you hours upon hours of sports television and radio to enjoy.

College football fans wondering if, when and by who someone from their school will be selected and NFL fans wondering who their team will select.

The annual wondering of who will be taken when and by what team captivates football fans nationwide and for good reason. With seven rounds and 256 total picks to be made this is probably the largest event in sports that takes place no where near the field of play.

But what about those guys who like watching men hit other men but with fist and chairs, guys like me. Well there is only professional wrestling on the grandest stage of them all, Wrestlemania.

This year being the 25th anniversary of the now legendary event look for it to be bigger and more exciting than ever.

Also another month brings along another UFC pay-per-view event, this month is UFC 97 in Quebec, Canada.

Headlining this great event is Anderson “The Spider” Silva against  Thales Leites and “The Iceman” Chuck Liddell taking on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. A great month for wrestling and MMA fans alike.

Of course we can’t talk about the month of April without something for our more “civilized” friends. They’ve got their biggest event of the year in April, The Masters.

Held at the amazing Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia this tournament has seen some of the greatest names in golf from Tiger to Couples, Hogan to Nicklaus, and Palmer all owning their own green jacket that signifies a winner of this prestigious event.