Dreams of having another big-time college event in Oklahoma City could take a giant step forward these next few days.
What is it?
Watch my latest video commentary or read below:
Time to step up, Oklahoma City, and prove yourself big time.
Wait. Where have we heard that before? Oh, that’s right. The Ford Center renovation tax vote. If we want the NBA, we have to prove it.This weekend, Oklahoma City has something else to prove. The NCAA women’s basketball regional makes a four-day run at the Ford Center. Practices are Saturday and Monday. Games are Sunday and Tuesday. To the winner goes the ultimate spoil — a Women’s Final Four.
Thing is, Oklahoma City might just snag the same jewel with its performance this weekend.
The All Sports Association, the folks in charge of bringing all sorts of big-time events to the city, are making plans to bid on the Women’s Final Four. The next available Women’s Final Four comes in 2012, and the good people at All Sports want it here.
They’d love to make a bid on a Men’s Final Four, but it now played exclusively in domes. The crowd is that big, the demand for tickets that high. No dome? No hope for a Men’s Final Four.
Having the Women’s Final Four would be the next best thing. And it’d be a heck of a coup. It’s an event that sells out now, too, drawing thousands of fans and loads of national exposure. Oklahoma City’s name, for starters, would adorn the Women’s Final Four logo that’s flashed up time and again that March. The positive publicity would be something. The benefits of having an event like the Women’s Final Four would be immeasurable.
This weekend could go a long ways toward snagging that prize. If the NCAA sees that Oklahoma City supports the women’s regional, if it sees that fans turn out in droves, that will be an important step. On the flip side, if the crowds are abysmal, the NCAA might shy away from the city.
Either way, OKC will make an impact. It’s up to folks here to decide what kind it will be.
And with Sherri Coale and her Sooners no longer in the field, it might be tempting for some to stay away.
Don’t.
If you want big-time events in OKC, if you want something as important as the Women’s Final Four to come to the Ford Center, don’t stay home. Get out and support the women’s regional.
Time to step up, Oklahoma City.
Again.