The proximity and accessibility of downtown hotels, restaurants and the convention center as well as the successful hosting of college hockey’s Frozen Four and several men’s NCAA Tournament regionals helped Denver land its bid to host the 2012 NCAA women’s basketball Final Four at the Pepsi Center.
The Mountain West Conference won one of five bids to host the premier women’s Division I basketball event, with games scheduled April 8 and 10. New Orleans (2013), Nashville, Tenn. (2014), Tampa, Fla. (2015) and Indianapolis (2016) were the other site selections announced Friday by the NCAA Division I Basketball Committee.
A Big 12 Conference bid for Dallas did not make the cut.
“It’s more than three basketball games,” Jacki Silar, chair of the NCAA women’s basketball committee, said on a national teleconference. “Denver is an exciting and appealing city. The backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. We know our student-athletes, coaches and fans will enjoy their time at the Final Four.”
She said the committee was particularly impressed with the accessibility of downtown hotels, the Pepsi Center, convention center (for the coaches convention and auxiliary events) and entertainment options within a mile loop.
“They’ve shown the ability to move a large number of people. The transportation plan is important,” Silar said.
There were 12 cities in the initial running, with the field pared to eight in August. The MWC and Denver Sports, which helped bring the Frozen Four to Denver last spring, pulled out all the stops to lobby the selection committee.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said in a statement: “We thank the NCAA for their commitment to Denver and thank Denver Sports and the bid committee for their hard work in securing this exciting, fun tournament.”
In conjunction with USA Basketball, there will be a leadership academy for the region’s youth and high school athletes and their coaches.
MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said it presented the league with the opportunity to continue to increase its name familiarity. Hosting the Final Four in conjunction with the local organizing committee “will be one of the highlights of this conference,” Thompson said.
Denver and Nashville are first-time women’s Final Four hosts, although Denver was the site for the 1990 men’s Final Four won by UNLV.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
