NCAA women's college basketball attendance continued its tremendous growth in 2000-01 by posting record levels for the 17th consecutive year.

National women's attendance rose by more than 127,000 this year as 8,824,776 spectators attended games. Of that figure, a record 6,519,667 attended Division I games, the second straight season with more than six million in total attendance.

Divisions I and III increases helped boost attendance past the eight million mark for the third year in a row. Division I institutions were up 124,853 in home attendance, even though the number of institutions (315) remained the same. In Division III, 385 institutions drew 846,070 spectators to home games, a rise of 39,921 from last year.

The first year for NCAA attendance tabulation was 1982, and overall attendance in the three divisions has increased every year since 1984.

Overall, the 958 teams in all divisions averaged 765 fans per outing, another record, while total attendance in 2000-01 was up 127,064 over last season despite an increase of only two new programs. The 315 Division I institutions totaled a record 6,069,834 in home attendance, up 124,853 from last year. They also set a per-game record of 1,475.

Big 12 nears million

The Big 12 Conference captured the national conference attendance crown for the second straight year. The league approached the one million mark, attracting a record 880,255 spectators.

For the first time, conference tournament neutral-site figures were added to the conference home attendance to determine overall league figures. That meant that many conferences saw an increase in either total attendance or per-game average.

Nineteen Division I leagues posted records in total attendance in 2000-01 and nine leagues set per-game-average records. Of the 31 Division I conferences, eight averaged more than 2,000 spectators per game and eight others averaged more than 1,000.

The Division I women's tournament set an all-time mark, attracting 320,062 fans to 42 sessions and averaging a record 7,621 per session.

Individual honors

For the fifth consecutive year, Tennessee's Lady Volunteers led the nation in home attendance. They totaled 232,646 fans and averaged 15,510 spectators in Thompson-Boling Arena in 15 home games.

Texas Tech was runner-up for the second year in a row, averaging 12,660 fans per game and attracting 202,562 overall. Connecticut finished third for the second straight year, averaging 12,265 and outdistancing the Big 12's Iowa State at 11,370.

New Mexico rounded out the top five at 8,712 per game.

In Division II, North Dakota finally unseated in-state rival North Dakota State and broke the Lady Bisons' nine-year stranglehold on the Division II attendance title by averaging 2,539 per game. North Dakota State, true to form, finished a close second at 2,337.

Emporia State was third in Division II at 2,098, followed by Johnson C. Smith (1,921) and South Dakota State (1,884).

The top five included George Fox (792), Division III champion Washington (Missouri) (697) and Hardin-Simmons (693).

Among Division II conferences, the North Central Conference had no trouble posting its 11th consecutive attendance title, averaging 1,409. The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association was second at 1,188, while the Lone Star Conference (658) was third.

In Division III, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was first, averaging 403 per game, followed by the University Athletic Association (368) and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (356).