National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA News Archive - 2000
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Opinions
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The NCAA News
Terry Holland, director of athletics
University of Virginia
USA Today
"The student-athletes (on teams participating in the Division I Men's Basketball Championship) already miss more class time in one year than a football player would miss if their college playing career lasted a decade."
John Wooden, former basketball coach
University of California, Los Angeles
Chicago Tribune
"Back when dunking wasn't allowed, Bill Walton would go up for a rebound, catch it and drop it into the basket. That was pretty. When you see them wind up and throw it down, to me, that's not pretty."
Geno Auriemma, women's basketball coach
University of Connecticut
Philadelphia Daily News
Discussing the growth of women's basketball:
"It's mind-boggling when you look back. TV? None. Final Four? How many people really cared? It was like something stuck in between the men's tournament and a lot of people didn't even know it was going on. Now look. National TV all the time, a pro league, celebrities, international women's stars, marketing, money, status. It has carved out a national identity. It's unbelievable."
Sue Gunter, women's basketball coach
Louisiana State University
USA Today
Discussing the possibility of moving the first and second rounds of the Division I Women's Basketball Championship to neutral sites:
"Let's bite the bullet and do what's fair. We may lose a little money, but I'm not even sure that's true. If we had two years to promote (games) in this area, I can guarantee you we'd fill the arena and make money."
Pat Summitt, women's basketball coach
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Washington Post
"The biggest disappointment has probably been the lack of coverage for the women's tournament in comparison to the men's. There's only so much (column) space. I do think we have to take a look at it and see if this is the best format. Are we really gaining the type of exposure we want for the women's game? If we feel like we can't compete, we should look at changing the women's calendar."
Bernadette McGlade, assistant commissioner
Atlantic Coast Conference
Washington Post
"There are exciting things to talk about, and the reason we're talking about it is because the (women's) championship has gotten so big. Seven years ago, we weren't having these discussions. We were worrying about selling tickets."