Following last night's National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium, Virginia head coach Tony Bennett took the mic for a postgame interview and credited Rocky among other things for motivating his team after last year's historic bouncing from the tournament.
If you remember, last year Virginia became the first #1 rated team in NCAA history to lose in the first round to a #16 seed. It was devastating, it was heartbreaking for many of the players that were also on this year's team, but more importantly, it was part of the 2018-2019 Virigina Cavaliers story.
They came back again with another #1 seed, survived the first round this time and carried some serendipitous momentum all the way to the championship last night.
As well as crediting Rocky, Bennett also mentioned a song by an artist that my family and I enjoy named Tauren Wells. The song was called "Hills and Valleys". Here's what Bennett had to say.
"I played a song for them today called 'Hills and Valleys' by Tauren Wells," Bennett shared after the game. "It just means that you're never alone in the hills and the valleys and we faced those this year. The credit goes to these young men and I can't wait to celebrate with my wife and my kids and my parents. I do want to thank the Lord and my savior."
Here's the song if you haven't heard it, it's pretty great!
Here are the lyrics if you're into reading along with the song.
I've walked among the shadows
You wiped my tears away
And I've felt the pain of heartbreak
And I've seen the brighter days
And I've prayed prayers to heaven from my lowestplace
And I have held the blessings
God, you give and take away
No matter what I have, Your grace is enough
No matter where I am, I'm standing in Your love
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
I've watched my dreams get broken
In you I hope again!
No matter what I know
Know I'm safe inside Your hand
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
Father, you give and take away
Every joy and every pain
Through it all you will remain
Over it all!
Father, you give and take away
Every joy and every pain
Through it all you will remain
Over it all!
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there (to the one who set me there)
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
You're God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
And I will choose to say "Blessed be Your name, yeah, yeah"
And I am not alone