The year was 1979, and I was 15 years old and a freshman in high school. I was not doing well in school, and my parents thought a college trip would help motivate me, so they planned a visit to Grand Rapids Baptist College (Cornerstone University).

My uncle Arvle Devaney was the pastor of the Woodward Avenue Baptist Church in Wyoming, Mich., so my parents and I stayed with them on the evening before our visit.

And that evening just so happened to be the night of one of the most publicized college basketball games in history: Bird vs. Magic.

The Spartans won their first national championship that night, but it is the game itself and not the winners or losers that helped basketball.

I do not recall what day of the week the event took place, or many of the details. What I do recall is watching this sporting event with my cousins, Steve and Dave. I do not think we ever again, before or after, watched a sporting event together. This was a unique deal. I had long ago forgotten about my whereabouts during this event until just recently when I caught the game on ESPN Classic.

I had thought it would be a great lead into this season’s Final Four matchup between Michigan State (my home team) and Connecticut (my former school). I could not lose, having a stake in both teams (but I was rooting for MSU all the way).

The Spartans won that game against Connecticut, but we all know what happened in the championship game against North Carolina. It is disappointing how the season ended for MSU, but the great run they had in the tournament was a reminder for Detroit how much one basketball game can change everything.

Back to 1979. I had followed MSU’s basketball season because Erving “Magic” Johnson was a local celebrity. And now, 30 years later, Johnson’s ability to pass and the excitement he brought to the game is one of the few things I remember. As I relived the game, I saw some awesome plays by Greg Kelser, who was the leading scorer for Michigan State. There was one play when an Indiana State player was going up for a layup, and Kelser stole the ball from his hands in mid air, right by the backboard. Of course, Larry Bird played well also.

Over the years, I followed both of their careers. When my wife and I were first married we lived in Connecticut where I ministered at a small Baptist church. Of course, the Boston Celtics were big at that time. Bird and the Celtics won the NBA Championship our first year there. The next year, 1987, was the last time that Bird and Magic met in the NBA Finals. In 1988, when all of the family was out to see our first child (Tim), I watched the Detroit Pistons finally beat Bird and the Celtics.

Now, back to 1979 and the reason of my visit to Grand Rapids. I did enjoy my visit to Grand Rapids Baptist and was planning on attending there, but then I visited the Moody Bible Institute and the Lord directed me there instead (No Joe Stowell pun intended). But I will never forget my visit and that great game I watched the night before. It turned basketball around. And I am hoping that is just what the Spartans have done for Detroit this season.