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Organizers scout for Final Four strategies

A Tampa contingent travels to Cleveland to help plan for the 2008 woman's Final Four.

By Greg Auman
Published April 4, 2007

TAMPA - For women's basketball fans flocking to the sport's largest event, Tampa is now on the clock.

Local event organizers have been attending the women's Final Four for six years, and a trip to Cleveland this weekend was a final chance to pick up the best ideas to incorporate next year at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.

"It's ever-evolving, for sure, but we've had a good chance to see how different communities put their spin on the event," said Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. "I think we've got some great ideas."

Higgins led a Tampa contingent of 15 to Cleveland, including administrators from host University of South Florida and representatives from the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau. They took in everything, from the timing of team practice and autograph sessions to the logistics of the arena to the event's VIP party, held at a Cleveland landmark, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Cleveland introduced a concert on the night between the semifinals and the championship, featuring the Indigo Girls, and organizers said they'll consider adding such an event to next year's schedule. The Tampa visitors also were impressed by community outreach programs for local students and girls basketball players.

"Every little piece we get from here means we'll have a better chance of putting on a great event in Tampa next year," said Barbara Sparks-McGlinchy, an associate athletic director and senior women's administrator at USF. "We've learned a lot of things we can build on, and I think this was a great event in Cleveland. It seems to get better every year."

Next year's event, to be played April 6 and 8, has already unveiled its logo, with basketball markings on an orange sliced in half.

"I think there's a lot of buzz, a lot of excitement," Higgins said. "It's the first time the event's been in the state of Florida, not just Tampa, so it's a tremendous opportunity for the state to show we know our hoops as well."

The area will get a dress rehearsal of sorts two weeks before the women's Final Four, playing host to first- and second-round men's games at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Meanwhile, Higgins isn't done observing. He'll be in St. Louis this weekend to watch the Frozen Four, the NCAA's men hockey championships, which Tampa will host in 2012.

[Last modified April 4, 2007, 06:19:53]