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Editorial: Bay area a sports standout

 
Published Nov. 19, 2014

The selection of Tampa to host another Women's Final Four should be a point of pride for the bay area. It's also a great way to introduce the region to those attending the marquee basketball event.

Tampa first hosted the event in 2008, and it will host it a second time in April at Amalie Arena. On Monday, the NCAA announced the 2019 championship would again return to Tampa. This will make for a few busy years, as the men's hockey Frozen Four returns to Tampa in 2016 and as Raymond James Stadium hosts the college football national title game in 2017.

Credit many things beyond the reliable spring weather: sports and tourism leaders who know what they're doing and work well together; quality facilities; the wealth of diversions, from theme parks and great restaurants to the beaches; and the reputation of the bay area as a friendly and inclusive place that is easy, open, attractive and affordable. These visitors are also coming at a time when Tampa and St. Petersburg are enlivening their downtowns.

Local boosters should keep targeting these events, which are exciting and provide an exciting backdrop to the area. Sure, the money's nice. But it's also nice to see visitors appreciate what we have going. That clearly seems to be happening. And being a good host will help bring these visitors back — maybe some day as fellow residents.