History could be made in 2007

January 20, 2005

Women's basketball is growing in popularity through most of the United States; however, women's basketball in Houston, Texas, does not draw well if your team name is not the Houston Comets. (Truth be told, if the Comets continue losing, attendance numbers for their home games will dwindle, too.) Hopefully, excitement for women's college hoops in Houston will grow by 2007. Why 2007? History could be made in 2007.

The Houston Roundball Review has been in business since 1994. The HRR began covering women's basketball (first, the Comets and the WNBA; now, women's college hoops) in 2000. During those four plus years, I've seen the game of women's basketball evolve as the players have improved and become more skilled and athletic. No, the women's game is not on par with the men's game and it shouldn't attempt to be because women have not played basketball on such competitive levels as long as the men.

As the women's game continues to evolve, the game continues experiencing growing pains. Girls' high school games are still tough to watch because the level of talent is still limited to certain schools which makes for lopsided scores and poor performances. But, that's cool with me because more and more girls are playing basketball than ever before which tells me basketball will continue improving in the future.

Houstonians do not support the local area college teams (University of Houston, Rice, Houston Baptist, Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M, Sam Houston State) for a few reasons. One, most of those teams have not produced winning teams for years. Two, the school administrations do not spend money to promote the teams. Three, many of the top-notch high school players choose to play for the more established programs inside and outside of Texas like Tennessee, Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech, Louisiana Tech, Purdue, etc.

I've attended and covered the last three Women's Final Fours (in San Antonio, Atlanta, and New Orleans). During those trips, my friends and I wondered why the city of Houston couldn't host the event.

Well, in December, I began to take action. A friend of mine works for the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority; and, I asked him if the HCHSA would be interested in hosting NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament games. He told me, "Sure." He introduced me to his boss, Ms. Cathy Dean. I spoke to Cathy about my goal to have the Final Four in Houston in the future; and, she told me what needs to take place for that to happen. The two of us began talking with various people (university administrators; arena event coordinators, media; basketball people; etc.) in order to submit a bid to the NCAA Women's Championships Committee. I am proud (and relieved) to say a questionnaire stating the city of Houston's desire to host First and Second Round Tournament games plus a Regional in 2007 has been submitted to the Committee. The cities chosen as sites will not be announced until June of this year; but, I'm hopeful Houston is selected because women's basketball in Houston deserves a "shot in the arm".

I'm asked all the time by my media buddies, "Why do you cover women's hoops?" I just smile and keep on pressing on. I receive flak and criticism for my work and coverage of women's basketball from different people; but, that's part of the job and that comes with the territory. For some strange reason, I honestly believe working to get the Women's Tournament to Houston is something I was supposed (if not destined) to do.

For any negative talk I receive, I'll just remember the 15 to 20 7th and 8th grade girls who attended their first women's college basketball game last Friday night between the University of Houston and UAB. I was able to get tickets for them to attend the game. A friend of mine who arranged for them to come to the game told me the girls had a great time at the game and are "still beaming and talking about the game". Perhaps in 2007, those same girls will be able to witness a bit of history if the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament comes to Houston. I'd really enjoy if that takes place; and, to think I was a part of making it happen is truly amazing.