This place is a keeper

By Ray Martel, Jr.

In a state that is all about its hoops, D3 was done right for the first time in years. While Danbury, Conn. did an admirable job with its three years, there was something different from the start of this one.

As Gordon Mann and I made our trip across the eastern states into the heart of the country I didn't know what to expect. I had been used to Danbury, and knew the people involved. This was going to be a new venture, and we would see how Rose-Hulman would handle this tournament The first sign, literally was when we passed through Indianapolis.

The Sign, a side of the interstate Billboard, advertising the "Women's Division III Basketball Championships" at Rose Hulman, was the first indication that this was to be different. When we arrived on campus, we were in shock. The facility was gorgeous. The second best looking facility I have ever seen, and for once the perfect sized arena for this tournament. The people of Terre Haute really embraced it. Whether it be the signs on restaurants "Welcome Division III", to the radio commercials and the lead story on the 11 o'clock news being the games, there was a buzz about the final four, our final four. It was being treated, as it deserved to be, like an NCAA Championship.

What impressed me most was the local support. The Rose Hulman pep band was there. They played during the game when there was no band in the arena.

They cleared off for the second game when the DePauw band came in, and even on the second night were joined together after the consolation game, in an impromptu jam session before the championship game. This prompted one local to mutter "You won't see that too often" referring to the rivalry with the two schools which are just a mere 45 minutes apart.

The local media was there in droves. Four radio broadcasts, including our own, would make the trip. Fans came in for the 4 schools, and they stayed. The large contingent of DePauw fans were back that second night for the consolation game, and they stayed till the end to see their Tigers get the third place trophy. And Division I even gave us a hand. The color guard had members from Indiana State, the "other" school in Terre Haute.

But this weekend wasn't about them It was about us and Division III. The people, the games, the fans, the students…everything was so perfect. After the two semifinal games and for a little while on Saturday, the games tended to be anticlimactic, but as St. Lawrence chipped back into the championship final, and made one last 28 foot attempt to win the game, we had one of the most memorable games in history.

Could things get any better? I didn't think they could, but the people of Terre Haute were so friendly. The fans were great, and Division III women's basketball was treated to one wonderful show. Now people will say that next year will be the telling year, especially if there is no local team like Depauw in the mix. But I don't see that being a problem. Marymount, Stevens Point and St. Lawrence fans filled Hulbert Arena to the max.

JJ Jumper, the official mascot of NCAA hoops was there throwing out T-shirts, taking pictures with the different fan groups of the various schools, and with the team members during Saturday's meet and greet session with the local youth teams. I can't say enough about the way the weekend was.

This is a credit to Rose-Hulman, Sue Lauder, the NCAA women's committee chair, and the people of Terre Haute, Ind. They made this a great event, as it should have been for the last three years. There was no newspaper saying "who cares." There was no "Professional Staff" treating fans and media like this was a third class tournament. What they had was something special.

The challenge, as always, is can they do it better next year, and the year after, the way Salem has done for the men and for football year after year? We shall see, but I will say this: If it's one-third as good as it was this year, it will still be an incredible weekend, in a place that really loves its basketball.