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Tampa Area Makes Big Impression On NCAA Organizers

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2008

TAMPA - For the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee, the consideration of future Women's Final Four sites often requires a steady stream of visits to arenas, hotels and restaurants.

Sometimes, it's difficult for cities to make a distinguishing mark.

But for the Tampa Bay area, which was just awarded the 2015 Women's Final Four on the heels of its successful performance last spring, an attention-grabbing approach has become standard procedure.

"Once again, their innovation, creativity and passion came through loud and clear," said Sue Donohoe, the NCAA's vice president of women's basketball.

When the Tampa Bay Sports Commission had its orientation meeting before pursuing the 2015 event, NCAA officials said it would be difficult to top the community's previous attention to detail.

"Well, we put our heads together and tried to come up with new and different ways of reinventing ourselves,'' said Rob Higgins, the commission's executive director.

Instead of a binder, the bid proposal was sent as a "Postcard From Tampa." The container included postcards from The Florida Aquarium, Ybor City, Busch Gardens, the Channel District and the St. Pete Times Forum.

When the NCAA committee had its site inspection at the Tampa Convention Center, its members played a round of golf inside the building, had an encounter with penguins from The Florida Aquarium, were serenaded by the Busch Gardens' Sheikhs and witnessed a massive balloon drop.

Instead of being taken to a restaurant – normal fare – the group was escorted for a meal at the Davis Islands home of Sandy MacKinnon, chairman of Tampa Bay & Co., which promotes economic development through tourism. Then a pirate showed up – posing as Jose Gaspar, of course – and everyone was "kidnapped" and taken for dessert at Bern's Steak House.

Then there were the final presentations last week at Indianapolis.

With officials from other cities dressed in the predictable suits or polo shirts, the Bay area group arrived in full character.

It was a montage of Florida scenes: University of South Florida athletic director Doug Woolard was dressed as a fisherman; Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlita posed as a golfer; Tampa Bay & Co. CEO Paul Catoe was a cruise director and vice president of sales Norwood Smith seemed suited for a Busch Gardens safari.

For comic relief, Tampa Bay Lightning executive vice president Bill Wickett was the "tacky tourist." Wickett ran through the audience, exchanging high-fives with people, applying zinc oxide and taking photographs with the ever-present camera strapped around his neck.

He wore a Hawaiian-style hat, sunglasses, plaid shorts, white shoes and black socks.

Higgins, in a tuxedo, introduced everyone, in the manner of a starting lineup, and drove home the point of what the Tampa Bay area could offer visitors.

"At this point, all of this has kind of become a 'Tampa thing,' " said Jeff Adams, chairman of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. "We have long passed the point where we are the unknown people, introducing ourselves, trying to get somebody to notice.

"Now people not only know us, but there's an expectation. 'What's coming next?' They're looking around, like they're about to open a present at Christmas."

According to an NCAA consultant, last year's Women's Final Four produced approximately $19 million in direct economic impact for the Tampa Bay area.

Higgins said costs were approximately $900,000, about $200,000 of which was public money.

"That's a great investment, especially with the way investments are going these days," Higgins said.

The 2007 Women's Final Four in Cleveland reported an economic impact of $10 million.

"What that [$7 million increase in one year] says is we have a great destination,'' Higgins said. "People are coming early and staying late, making a vacation out of it. We believe we have a lot to offer, and we're glad the NCAA agrees with that.''

The Forum has several high-profile events in the coming years, including the Southeastern Conference men's basketball tournament March 12 to 15, the NCAA volleyball championships (Dec. 17 to 19, 2009) and the 2012 NCAA Frozen Four national hockey semifinals.

Additionally, Higgins said, the Forum will pursue future NCAA men's basketball tournament events, either early rounds or regionals, when bid proposals become available.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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