Who cares about Binghamton University sports?

I mean, really. Today is Friday. You’ve spent all week waiting for today to come, and you’re not going to let anything get between you and that 30-pack of Keystone Light the guy down the hall bought for you the other day. Who gives a crap about Baxter?

Tonight is a night of relaxation, of calmness, of blah. Tonight, you’ll make those lazy kids in the new anti-smoking commercials look like Tony Hawk. The invasion of the “Freshman 15” into your glutes will resume with a two-fronted attack of pizza and cheap beer.

Friday night, and you’re looking for something to do. Random frats fill your Facebook invitation page like a bland serving of Alpha Bits, while Late Nite Binghamton fliers entice you to go check out some backyard band. Woo hoo.

Now, I can’t say I’m not guilty of indulging in some boring, stereotypical weekend b.s. in my days here — I mean, it is Binghamton — but one experience I’ll never forget is my first time …

… at a BU volleyball game. (What were you thinking? Perverts.)

It was October 2004, and our ’Cats were taking on Maine, one of the conference favorites at the time. I hadn’t seen volleyball since high school, and for sure, I was skeptical; how good could these girls be?

Answer: they are unbelievable. The game I saw “went the distance” with the Bearcats prevailing 15-11 in the fifth game. I had seen all the men’s basketball games the year before, but this match was far more exciting than any basketball game I’d ever seen. I left that night with a gift certificate to BG’s pizza (won in a contest), no voice and a newfound love for Glenn Kiriyama, the suavest coach in Binghamton history.

At the time, Jacki Kane was a freshman just coming into her own, as Annie Crocus had just gone down with an unfortunate leg injury at the hands of Albany, the league’s dominant force. On the match’s last point, a super-psyched Kane teamed up with Kathleen Schauer in an adrenaline-filled block to win it.

Now, with a stellar supporting cast of veterans around her, the matured Kane is posting all-star stats again as a junior, averaging 1.21 blocks per game this year. A virtual lock for AE All-Conference and possibly the most lovable, charismatic athlete in Binghamton these days, Kane makes her homecoming tonight at 7 p.m. against archrival Albany — the 2004 champions vs. the defending champion Bearcats.

The 7 p.m. start (schedule more of these start times, Glenn!) means this match will be over by 9 p.m.; attending will not keep you (or me) from State Street, if you desire. And don’t complain about staying up too late, because if you’re a true fan, you’ll be at the 9:30 a.m. women’s tennis match tomorrow, too.