All-access: 2011 Women’s Final Four behind the scenes in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS — The 2011 Women’s Final Four has invaded Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse. Sunday was the semi-finals where we saw two thrilling games. Two games, two great finishes and two upsets.

In the first game, Texas A&M knocked off the Stanford Cardinals 63-62. And in the late game, the Irish of Notre Dame surprised UConn 72-63.

The Finals: Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame. Basketball is alive and well in the basketball state. The Butler Bulldogs are in the men’s final in Houston while Notre Dame has earned a trip to the women’s championship game right here in their back yard. What a day—fantastic games.

Below is my behind-the-scenes coverage of the 2011 Women’s Final Four. Pictures, description and analysis you won’t get anywhere else.

NBA to Final Four overnight
The Conseco Fieldhouse crew had their game face on Friday night after the Indiana Pacers played host to the Milwaukee Bucks. Beginning immediately after the game, about 10 p.m., the crews had to completely clean up the fieldhouse, change the court as well as the signage. Everything had to be completed and ready for NCAA inspection 8 a.m. Thursday. Watch the amazing transformation AP video here.

ESPN does it right
The reason ESPN has such a strong reputation for big events and strong broadcasts: personnel. They invest in workers to make sure they leave no stone unturned. As you can see to the left, they are treating this event with care. It is a big time production with the Monday Night Football trucks and hundreds of personnel behind the scenes.

For each baseline camera, they have four people to man the camera with a camera operator, grip (handles the cords), and two light holders during interviews. ESPN is has two robotic cameras opposite each bench, a camera behind each bench plus a dozen others spread throughout. Plus they have an onsite set hosted by Trey Wingo and three other analysts.

ESPN spends money and puts its resources into the event so even though the interest isn’t quite as high, the production element is flawless. There are a couple dozen cameras, multiple trucks, miles of cords but it’s the behind the scenes people that make the difference.

It’s tough being pretty
Being on camera isn’t as easy as it looks. Dave O’Brien and Doris Burke are calling the game courtside and much of their work comes before the game with preparation and research. The sideline position is much different.

Holly Rowe is handling those duties for ESPN and her biggest job is to be aware. If a player is injured she has to go find out what happened and the extent of the injury. If a coach got a technical foul, what did the coach do to deserve it. She also has to be aware of the crowd, if any dignitaries are in attendance or families are going wild. And during timeouts, she will listen in on the team huddles and interview each coach sparingly. She must be on her toes the entire game.

This picture that I captured was priceless. ESPN has a person on-site whose pure job is to do the makeup for each of the talent. Here, Holly Rowe is getting her makeup touched up prior to face time at the end of the game.

NCAA listens in
Each postseason game, representatives from the NCAA and sometimes each school with have at least one person on headset listening to the broadcast.

This is to unsure a combination of many things including pronunciation of schools, players, and coach. They also ensure nothing gets leaked out or is said that may affect a team. And of course the NCAA wants to ensure a positive message is relayed to the viewers at home. Here you see two of the many NCAA representatives listening in to a semi-finals game.

The Power Row
Seated behind me was a row full of power: Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, Condoleezza Rice and Indiana head coach Tom Crean. Governor Daniels people told me he was just at the men’s final four Saturday night supporting Butler and may return Monday for the championship game. Must be nice having the private jet.

Rice was of course on hand supporting her alma mater in Stanford. Tom Crean and his wife Joani Crean were guests of the Governor and also supporting Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer, an Indiana University alum of 1975. Crean attended a Stanford practice earlier in the week to observe.

A familiar sighting
Because of my nine years (going on ten) of working for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, I am very comfortable and knowledgeable about these officials. They are obviously the best of the best because they are working the final three games of the college season.

During the Fever season, it is one of my responsibilities to take care of the officials for the night getting whatever they need. It’s refreshing to get to know them a bit on a personal level. All anyone usual does is scream at them after what they believe is a poor call. Running into them at these games, I have said hi and caught up with a few of them. The WNBA season is a month away.

Paper, paper and more paper
It’s flat out ridiculous how much paper they go through on a daily basis here at the Final Four. Take the Stanford-Texas A&M game for instance.

Prior to the game media receive 1) program, 2) game notes, and 3) a flipcard with team rosters and information. At halftime they receiver 4) a box score and 5) who will be speak at the press conference for either team.

After the game, they receive 6) a box score, 7) a “book” with full play-by-play and box scores, 8 ) Texas A&M postgame notes, 9) Texas A&M locker room quotes, 10) Stanford postgame notes, 11) Stanford locker room quotes, 12) a full transcript of Texas A&M press conference, and 13) a full transcript of Stanford press conference. Lucky 13.

Wonder how many trees were cut down to put on this event…and just imagine the men’s.

What’s with the mascot?
Stanford’s mascot is simply unusual. At first glace, what the heck is it? I tried to get a picture of it in action but he was also moving and spinning around that I never could capture him. Someone told me that it is the job of the new person behind the mascot each year to change it a bit, adding their special touch.

Below is a slideshow of pictures from the tournament I have taken. Enjoy.

[slickr-flickr tag=2011WFF]

Follow Scott on twitter @ScottAgness.