The March Dadness Story

In March of 2022, I received the greatest gift of all time - I became a parent.

Becoming a dad launches you into a new journey that has to be experienced to be understood. Suddenly, so many of the things my parents said or did made sense (don’t tell them I said that). Suddenly, so many of the things that seemed embarrassing or gross didn’t seem embarrassing or gross any longer (singing loudly in public, having close encounters with poop, falling down whenever my daughter orders me to because she thinks it’s funny, etc.)

And suddenly, I had cause to reflect on my own childhood, and the things that made it special. One thing that stood out - maybe because my daughter was born in March, maybe because I’m unhealthily obsessed with it, maybe because I can’t resist a good pun - was to incorporate my love of March Madness into our little family’s traditions. Thus, March Dadness was born.

From a personal standpoint, part of the brand’s inspiration is my own experience. My dad and I have connected so strongly over sports since I was little. One of my favorite memories of all time was going to see the First Round with him in Washington DC, back in 2002. Years later, after I graduated from UVA and started moving around the country while working, UVA basketball always gave us something to call each other about - either with elation or frustration, but luckily, mostly elation.

My love for sports, then UVA sports, then college basketball, and then, March Madness in particular, all started with him.

The amount of joy I’ve derived from taking part in March Madness - watching the games, rooting on my team, participating in and organizing bracket competitions - is motivation for me to pay it forward. How can I spread the Madness? How can I give people another way to share in the spirit of this tournament with others? Well, I landed on a brand that celebrates March, as well as the experience of being a father. 

So March Dadness is about a few things. It’s about paying homage to my dad, who sparked this lifelong source of joy for me. It’s about making a pledge to share the same joy, connection, and enthusiasm for the sport, and for the greatest tournament out there, with my daughter. And it’s about hoping that there’s a whole bunch of other dads out there that feel the same way.

Welcome to March Dadness!

 

Trent Smith