Dawn of a new day

It seems like yesterday was sitting on press row at Battelle Hall, in the Greater Columbus Convention Center, home of the American Basketball League’s (ABL) Columbus Quest, covering the championship game five between the Richmond Rage and one of the greatest professional women basketball teams in history.

The Wizard of Westwood John Wooden, head coach at UCLA who won ten NCAA national championships in a 12 year period, once made an observation about the purity of women’s basketball. He publicly shared his passion and appreciation of watching the fundamentally complete execution of the ever-evolving game women’s basketball.

As an aspiring technological visionary and electronic sports journalist back in 1996 was given a chance by the Columbus Quest and the American Basketball League to be a part of history allowing SportsNet Ohio being one of the first hybrid (Internet) media outlets to cover the first women’s basketball league.

(courtesy of the Way Back Machine)

Along with key supporters like former Columbus Quest Head Coach Brian Agler, Director of Media Relations Jim Day and former AudioNet co-founder Mark Cuban SportsNet Ohio found an innovative way to keep fans informed about these trailblazing athletes when traditional media apparently showed no interest covering their story.

Back then bandwidth was somewhat limited, we managed to broadcast the games via audio in real-time and provided average video highlights using a first generation streaming media software VivoActive.

One of my greatest delights was having the opportunity to watch and interview three-time Olympian, former Richmond Rage Guard, and current University of South Carolina and USA National Team Coach Dawn Staley.

Staley professionalism both on and off the hardwood was worthy of merit. Her passion, leadership, and tenacity was and continue to be a driving force behind the success of women’s basketball.

I will forever be grateful to Staley, the ABL’s coaches and players, and staff who graciously gave of their time and themselves when other professional sports franchises and athletes denied access to electronic (hybrid) media news journalists and outlets during the mid-1990’s.

Today, as we approach the 2017 Women’s NCAA Championship game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and Mississippi State Bulldogs wanted to take this opportunity to thank the multitude of teammates from my ABL days, fans of the Columbus Quest, Katie Smith, Mike Vogt, Debbie Antonelli, and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Their continued support and contributions to the game of basketball have allowed young aspiring athletes like my daughter, Makayla, an opportunity to experience the joys and lessons the game of basketball can teach such as loyalty, duty, respect, honor, sacrifice, integrity and how to overcome obstacles through teamwork and personal courage.

It’s been over two decades since the ABL cease operations, but one of its greatest contributions to the sport is Dawn Staley. Even back then Staley commitment to the elevation of the women’s game was awe inspiring early in her professional career. During an interview with her, she expressed her aspiration to pursue a career in coaching. It is apparent now as it was back then that the words of legendary Tennessee Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt connected with her.

Summit said, “I think I can help others just by my example.”

The game of women’s basketball has come a long way overcoming many challenges, and against all the odds the game continues to rise. It is apparent the dawn of a new day has arrived and has never looked better.