My first encounter with the emotional impact of sports writing occurred during my seventh grade year. UConn had just completed an incredible season, posting a perfect 39-0 record and securing its third national championship in eight years. I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Sports Illustrated.
When the magazine finally arrived in my mailbox, I was greeted on the cover by Maryland's Juan Dixon, while at the top of the April 8, 2002 issue it boldly proclaimed: “The AWESOME WOMEN of UConn, Pg. 44.”
I quickly ignored the usual “Faces in the Crowd” section, which, in 2002, often featured female athletes, and dove into the article about UConn's tight-knit senior players: Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Asjha Jones and Tamika Williams. The piece described their lives off the field: sharing an off-campus house, cooking family-style dinners, engaging in lively card games and competing to see who would shed tears first on senior night. I absorbed every detail.
Years later, those memories lingered, especially since, as a fan of women's college basketball in the 1990s and early 2000s, there was limited media coverage of the most compelling teams and their players. Such experiences remain etched in your memory, sometimes for decades.
After revisiting the UConn feature, I turned to my favorite column: “Reilly's Life.” The title caught my attention: “Out of touch with my feminine side.”
In this article, columnist Rick Reilly questioned the coach's challenges to the Final Four, comparing them to his experience coaching seventh-grade girls. His humorous take on the difficulties of managing young athletes seemed dismissive, especially in light of the powerful narrative surrounding UConn's elite women. The juxtaposition was frustrating and, at the time, all too predictable.
Historically, female athletes and their supporters have faced numerous obstacles, often resulting from a lack of investment and institutional support. This cycle of neglect has hindered the growth of women's sports, creating a paradox that has stifled its potential.
This year, the “Caitlin Clark effect” has energized the WNBA, drawing unprecedented crowds and television ratings. As the women's college basketball season begins, interest remains high, even in the absence of some notable stars who helped elevate the sport.
Defending champion South Carolina reached a significant milestone by selling its season ticket packages for the first time ever. UConn also posted a notable showing, selling out its season tickets for the first time since 2004. Other programs like LSU and Iowa are reporting similar success, with Texas, Notre Dame and Tennessee seeing significant increases in ticket sales.
As anticipation grows for the national championship game, tickets to the Final Four are already sold out, with resale prices soaring: nose seats approaching $200 and courtside seats approaching $3,000 dollars.
Dawn Staley is a larger-than-life figure in women's basketball, boasting a legacy filled with Final Four appearances, national championships and Olympic gold medals. His office in South Carolina is adorned with memorabilia reflecting his journey. However, the current moment feels extraordinarily transformative. “We feel like we're free to explore where this game can go,” he noted, underscoring the sport's limitless potential for growth.
Staley has spoken openly about the historic barriers faced by women in sports, from exclusion before Title IX to the NCAA's prioritization of men's basketball. The lack of media coverage exacerbated these challenges, as the media often downplayed women's sports and then cited low spectator numbers as the reason for their limited visibility.
Recent developments have begun to change this narrative. Last season, the women's national championship drew nearly 4 million more viewers than the men's game, in stark contrast to a 2020 report that highlighted the NCAA's underrepresentation of women's sports.
“This,” Staley said, gesturing broadly at the changes, “I never thought there would come a time when I could be a part of it.”
There is cautious optimism among those associated with women's basketball as the new season unfolds. Many wonder if this could be the sport's defining moment, a time when the barriers that have historically held it back finally fall away.
Tara VanDerveer, an experienced coach, has witnessed similar moments throughout her storied career. He recalls the excitement generated by a significant game in 1985, where 22,000 fans attended an Iowa-Ohio State matchup. Unfortunately, that event did not lead to sustained growth in attendance or support. Over the course of her long career, which began with humble jobs as a bus driver and laundry worker, she has seen growth potential stifled by inconsistent investment and enthusiasm.
“We needed to build on this, not make it an isolated case,” VanDerveer emphasized. “We must continue to grow the game by fostering excitement at all levels, from high school tournaments to college matches. There is palpable excitement about the WNBA.”
This season, the momentum appears to be in favor of women's basketball. Talented players like Caitlin Clark, USC's JuJu Watkins and UConn's Paige Bueckers are poised to keep the spotlight on the sport as NIL opportunities have revolutionized marketing and player engagement. The transfer portal has also democratized the competition, allowing numerous teams to compete for the Final Four.
As the season progresses, we have already seen strong competition between the top teams. The allure of women's basketball is undeniable, fueled not only by talent but also by newfound equality. This belief that any team can triumph on any given night creates an exciting atmosphere for fans.
What is happening now is a long-overdue evolution in women's college basketball. For too long, the sport has been relegated to secondary status within the NCAA, deserving far more attention and investment. It's time for the narrative to move from short headlines and snide comments to a full celebration of the game. Stakeholders and decision makers must embrace this moment and ensure growth continues.
There is a new generation of seventh graders watching and deserving of witnessing the full potential of women's college basketball.