Barnett described her first trip to the World Series, with her husband Steve, and son Will, a former Titan batboy, as "a dream come true. It's just amazing," she said emotionally, "it's an absolute connection. I wish more alumni could see this. Titan baseball is to Cal State Fullerton what football is to USC. I think more people need to find that out."

This was the Titans 12th trip to the College World Series, with three national championships under their belt. Everyone wanted one more. The momentum was incredible after the 6-5 win over Stanford on Father's Day, and spirits were sky high. Everywhere, there was the feeling that this would be the year for the perfect end to an outstanding season.

Even in the aftermath of the final heartbreaking loss to Stanford, Titan pride took over. Alumna Joann Shaeffer-Haines '90 (B.A. biological sciences), associate professor of family practice at Creighton University Medical Center and deputy chief medical officer for Nebraska Health and Human Services System, said "You could tell the team was heartbroken, but they took it with such class. We made a point to make sure we talked to every single one of them." When she started to choke up with emotion, her husband Phil took over. "It was a very emotional loss," he said. "It was very touching to see the players come out from the gates, go straight to their parents, and give them a big hug. The Cal State Fullerton kids are just terrific."

When it was time to take the banners down, pack up and go home, "Home of the Titans" once again became a vacant, dark little house in the shadow of Rosenblatt. Standing across the street from the vantage point of the stadium, I couldn't help but think of the sports adage — "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing" — made famous by legendary football coach Vince Lombardi.

Lombardi was wrong. Being there is everything. It's so vivid, the lights, laughter, bright Titan colors and the wonderful smells from the barbecue. When you travel to Omaha with the Titans, long after the box scores have been posted and the last sports columns read and debated, the end of the story is really the beginning of wonderful memories that will be cherished for a lifetime — lasting memories of a special place and special people. As one Titan fan's poster succinctly stated, "Being with the Titans at the College World Series — Priceless."

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