On Jan. 8, the women’s basketball team faced off against Sunshine State Conference (SSC) rival, Lynn University.
The match received national attention, being showcased on television for the first time by CBS College Sports.
The action, however small it may seem, is a rather large deal for UT’s private school athletic program.
While the fans and the University of Tampa staff could revel on the fact that the school was getting noticed in more ways than one, Coach Tom Jessee and the team were focused mainly on the victory.
According to Jessee, preparations for the televised game were no different than any other.
“We did not prepare any different as it was a huge match up for us considering they were the ones to beat us out of the SSC tournament game a year ago,” he said. “I just made sure we did not let the national TV event be a side distraction to our main goal, and that was to win.”
Senior Gianna Messina, who played the entire 40 minutes of the game, echoed Jessee’s sentiment regarding the preparations and further exemplified the team’s attitude on the different setting.
“We prepared the same for the game as if it was any other game. I don’t think there was any added pressure because the game was televised nationally. Playing on the road at Lynn, we were focused on leaving with a [win],” Messina said.
Although the team may say that they did not pay much attention to the cameras, Coach Jessee made an assumption about their feelings.
“I am sure there were a little bit of butterflies for the girls, but they handled it well.” He also gave his opinion on the success of the game.
“It felt great to get the win and keep us undefeated in the conference at that point,” Jessee explained. “I was proud of the team as they fought through a very hard week playing three games in six days with two of them on the road.”
The university benefits from the national attention not only from an athletic standpoint, but for the university as a whole as well.
Sports Information Director Tom Kolbe explained the impact that the event had on the school.
“It is a major positive any time the university can gain national exposure. This allows us to showcase our student athletes and their extraordinary athletic skills along with their sportsmanship,” Kolbe stated.
“It is also a huge advantage to the university as a whole as it allows exposure for the school to not only prospective student athletes, but the general student body as well.”
The event could possibly increase both the interest and demand of being a student or student athlete at UT.
The game also highlighted the staff that the university prides itself for.
“This kind of exposure will certainly pique the interest of additional prospects. Combined with a coaching staff that does an outstanding job of evaluating talent and developing players, this should prove to be another reward of this experience,” said Kolbe.
Kolbe explained that the athletic program will continue to reach out to CBS as well as other television channels that may become interested in Spartan sports teams.
Overall, this first-time opportunity could benefit the UT community and Spartan athletics significantly.
“Being the first time women’s basketball has been nationally televised, it will go a long way in spreading the word of the tradition that has been built by this program, which has enjoyed record success over the past five years,” Kolbe noted.
Maya Todd can be reached at mtodd@spartans.ut.edu.