Sports: If it's a major NCAA event, count on George to be there

Tampa subregional

If it's a major NCAA event, count on George to be there

By SHARON GINN

TAMPA -- The Final Four, the Super Bowl; they spoiled us.

We were certain these first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games would draw some famous faces, enough to make it worth the time to troop through the St. Pete Times Forum in hopes of finding them and seeing if they were in the mood to talk hoops.

Well, there was George.

As in Steinbrenner, who usually can be counted on to show up to major local events, especially when they include the Gators. The Yankees boss definitely was in the mood Sunday to talk hoops.

And there was Kirk Gibson, well known among Michigan State fans for his multisport acumen while playing for the Spartans, better known among regular folks for belting the home run that won the Dodgers the 1988 World Series. Gibson was, incidentally, sitting by Braves closer John Smoltz and not far from former Lions coach and Tampa resident Wayne Fontes, who was working the Spartans crowd nearby.

Otherwise, the best celebrity stories were the ones we didn't get.

We were dying to know what Charles Barkley had to say about what his seemingly overachieving alma mater, Auburn, did to Wake Forest. Who wouldn't have wanted to hear him go off on ESPN's Dick Vitale, who notably dissed the Tigers' selection to the NCAA Tournament?

There was at least one rumor floating about that Michigan State alum Magic Johnson would be in the house, but that quickly was shot down by the Spartans media relations department.

Another, more believable rumor was that ex-49ers and new Lions coach Steve Mariucci, a lifelong friend of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, would show up for the second game. No dice.

Michigan State didn't have Magic or Mooch, but it easily had the most impressive celebrity fan section (okay, the only celebrity fan section) of the day. Gibson, for example, was a very popular guy with the Spartans faithful, though no one should find his presence a surprise. He reports he has been attending Michigan State NCAA Tournament games every year since he retired in 1995.

This time the trip was a convenient one: from Lakeland, spring training home of the Tigers. Gibson is in his first year coaching with the team, alongside former teammate and new manager Alan Trammell. He said while he never had a burning desire to coach, he is as competitive as ever and thought Trammell was reason enough to join the Tigers.

"He's a great teammate," Gibson said. "It's going to take a team effort to get to our goals. That's why I'm there."

Gibson, no doubt, is a legend, but when it comes to baseball celebrities, it really doesn't get much better than the Boss. He was, naturally, ensconced in the Yankees suite, munching snacks, wearing his 2000 World Series ring and thoroughly enjoying himself. Steinbrenner clearly has a soft spot for NCAA sports and teams, at least those that require their students to actually study.

"That's why I like Bob Knight; his kids study and graduate," Steinbrenner said. "The same thing goes with this (Billy) Donovan kid."

Steinbrenner long has been partial to the Gators; he has been a member of its most influential donor group, the Bull Gators, since 1973.

"I love the excitement" of NCAA sports, he said. "You don't get it at the Bucs games, you don't get it at the pro games. There's nothing like college basketball for excitement."

And there's nobody like Steinbrenner to give an NCAA Tournament event a little star power.