Today marks the real beginning to Final Four weekend in Indianapolis for the women’s championship. Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Stanford and UConn are all in town vying for the NCAA Championship.
Things get started early and remain busy all Saturday long. I am reporting to Conseco Fieldhouse at 9 a.m. for a media assistants meeting. This after working the Pacers-Bucks game the night before and getting home at 11 pm. At the meeting, we will over the final details and make sure we are all on the same page prior to things truly getting started.
Then each team will have a news conference, autograph session, open practice and media session. These are high-pressured situations where both coaches and players have to stay atop their game. It’s imperative that they go over every detail in their preparations and also not say anything they will regret during the interviews. This is challenging for a team because all they want to do is soak everything in, enjoy the moment and concentrate on Sunday’s game.
Just after 4 p.m., the Associated Press Player and Coach of the Year will be announced in front of the gathered media followed by the WBCA High School All-America game set to tip at 4:30. After the game, there is a tip-off party for all staff and media on hand.
Tourney Town is also going on all weekend long at the Indiana Convention Center. Here, basketball fans can shoot hoops, learn more about the teams and even enjoy some music.
Reports estimate that the city of Indianapolis will make about $17 to 20 million from hosting the Final Four. Last year, the city made roughly $40 million on the men’s championship. Those estimates include tickets, concessions, fan gear, hotels, cabs and restaurants for example.
The events are also special because they put Indianapolis on the center of the map for hosting yet another big event. ESPN has full, blown out coverage live from Conseco Fieldhouse. All this after the NFL Combine and Big Ten Tournament last month, adding to the credibility of the city and more practice for hosting next year’s Super Bowl.
Sports Graphics has gone a fantastic job of decorating the city hanging banners and posters at the Fieldhouse, Convention Center, and city overhead crossings. These boost the cities image to further prove this is the Amateur Sports Capital of the World!
Working the Final Four is another unique opportunity that I am anxious to embrace and make the most of. Not many sports fans can say they have been to a Final Four, nonetheless work it with essentially an all-access pass. Because I am in the sports broadcasting field and hope to do much more down the line, this is also a time for me to meet some of the countries best and network. Although it is very competitive field, I am going to make it, earn my credibility and hopefully be covering this myself down the line.
Time to report for duty. Much more to come from downtown Indianapolis.