I checked in to a New York city hotel once upon a time (no name provided here) when the front desk noticed I was from Portland (my home town) I was asked if that was near any big city...I said it was near Salem.
The people writing or talking about “Aaaallbany” or Portland being podunk (an implication of inferiority) are of the same ilk as the ESPN writer who chose to do an article yesterday about OSU women’s team’s potential loss of players to the portal after this year because of the PAC’s contraction. Right after they won against ND to reach the elite 8. Our compulsion as humans to focus and dwell on the negative is astounding. It’s not denial of reality to want more stories about the positive side of things. It’s just a need for a fair exposure of good and positive.
This is why we appreciate this and the many other stories you do, John. Thanks.
Having followed women’s basketball for some years in mostly empty venues it is an absolute joy to see the following and support these young athletes are given.
John - great column and reflection on the changes in women's sports. BTW - Kathy is also an All American in women's basketball and played in the NAIA Women's volleyball championship final. She and I were reflecting on the days we played to empty gyms and had to wash our own uniforms. I played soccer at Lewis and Clark and our uni's were the hand me downs from the men's team - ripped and worn out. But we were happy to play and gave it our all. I am grateful for the opportunities I had when I started sports 40 plus years ago (we could play three sports!) but so happy to see how far women's sports has come. Huge kudo's to all of those who have guided us to where we are today - for every Caitlin Clark there are hundreds of coaches, parents, fans and others who have paved the way.
Hat tip to all those Oregon Womens' High School Basketball Coaches who sold the sport with their passion and knowledge and continue to do so today :). Oregon Womens' hoops at the high school level has been good for quite some time now. Thank you for your dedication and passion :)
To me one of the greatest things about women’s sports is that they are not men’s sports. Yes they deserve more recognition which is happening and more money which will follow. But I hope this doesn’t come at the expense of accessibility etc. Where have these “expert voices” complaining about sites been for the past ten years?
The older I get the more the wind blows in my eyes…especially with Dad stories…
Thanks, John, for stopping for a chat before the SC/Baylor game yesterday…it was a pleasure to meet you and your family…Hope to see you at Saturday Market this Fall…
I think, as you touched on, one reason for the successful ticket sales in these cities is precisely that fans don't often have the opportunity to watch such events because the bigger cities host. More fans are eager to watch because of it.
Portland is a great host city for women’s basketball but as someone who flies a lot I wholeheartedly agree that it is harder, and more expensive, to get to compared to other major cities.
Great column, John. The current popularity of women’s basketball is terrific. Such popularity will continue to grow, in my view, so long as there are individual, compelling stars, like our own Sabrina!
As host cities such as Portland and Albany show the huge positive economic value of hosting these games, have to wonder if bigger cities don't start stepping up and submit a bid. A dollar is a dollar regardless of who spends it.
Congratulations to Portland and their supporters being selected to host the 2030 Final Four!
P.S. Harder to get to Spokane, WA than Portland, OR.
I'm just messing with you Hank, but I wouldn't think twice (at age 57) at hopping in a van with a group of friends and driving 7 hours to a baseball or basketball tournament, or even a bowl game. That's called livin' :)
I checked in to a New York city hotel once upon a time (no name provided here) when the front desk noticed I was from Portland (my home town) I was asked if that was near any big city...I said it was near Salem.
The people writing or talking about “Aaaallbany” or Portland being podunk (an implication of inferiority) are of the same ilk as the ESPN writer who chose to do an article yesterday about OSU women’s team’s potential loss of players to the portal after this year because of the PAC’s contraction. Right after they won against ND to reach the elite 8. Our compulsion as humans to focus and dwell on the negative is astounding. It’s not denial of reality to want more stories about the positive side of things. It’s just a need for a fair exposure of good and positive.
This is why we appreciate this and the many other stories you do, John. Thanks.
Having followed women’s basketball for some years in mostly empty venues it is an absolute joy to see the following and support these young athletes are given.
John - great column and reflection on the changes in women's sports. BTW - Kathy is also an All American in women's basketball and played in the NAIA Women's volleyball championship final. She and I were reflecting on the days we played to empty gyms and had to wash our own uniforms. I played soccer at Lewis and Clark and our uni's were the hand me downs from the men's team - ripped and worn out. But we were happy to play and gave it our all. I am grateful for the opportunities I had when I started sports 40 plus years ago (we could play three sports!) but so happy to see how far women's sports has come. Huge kudo's to all of those who have guided us to where we are today - for every Caitlin Clark there are hundreds of coaches, parents, fans and others who have paved the way.
Happy Easter, everyone!!! HE IS RISEN!!!
Hat tip to all those Oregon Womens' High School Basketball Coaches who sold the sport with their passion and knowledge and continue to do so today :). Oregon Womens' hoops at the high school level has been good for quite some time now. Thank you for your dedication and passion :)
To me one of the greatest things about women’s sports is that they are not men’s sports. Yes they deserve more recognition which is happening and more money which will follow. But I hope this doesn’t come at the expense of accessibility etc. Where have these “expert voices” complaining about sites been for the past ten years?
The older I get the more the wind blows in my eyes…especially with Dad stories…
Thanks, John, for stopping for a chat before the SC/Baylor game yesterday…it was a pleasure to meet you and your family…Hope to see you at Saturday Market this Fall…
Go Beavs..
I think, as you touched on, one reason for the successful ticket sales in these cities is precisely that fans don't often have the opportunity to watch such events because the bigger cities host. More fans are eager to watch because of it.
Love the spotlight on Portland and Oregon. They have been so supportive of women’s basketball!
Portland is a great host city for women’s basketball but as someone who flies a lot I wholeheartedly agree that it is harder, and more expensive, to get to compared to other major cities.
Podunk is as Podunk does. Portland may not be New York, but we like it that way. Take your “podunk” somewhere else. 😆😝
Great column, John. The current popularity of women’s basketball is terrific. Such popularity will continue to grow, in my view, so long as there are individual, compelling stars, like our own Sabrina!
As host cities such as Portland and Albany show the huge positive economic value of hosting these games, have to wonder if bigger cities don't start stepping up and submit a bid. A dollar is a dollar regardless of who spends it.
Congratulations to Portland and their supporters being selected to host the 2030 Final Four!
P.S. Harder to get to Spokane, WA than Portland, OR.
I'm just messing with you Hank, but I wouldn't think twice (at age 57) at hopping in a van with a group of friends and driving 7 hours to a baseball or basketball tournament, or even a bowl game. That's called livin' :)
I’d also like to see this podunk town host the NBA All Star game.