BASKETBALL New title game sites are on the Horizon

The league will play some of its men's championship tournament games at campus sites.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The theme of the 2002 Youngstown State Tipoff Dinner for the men's and women's basketball teams Wednesday night at the DeBartolo Stadium Club was "Bringing the championship home."
The Horizon League, of which Youngstown State is a second-year member, has adopted a new format for its 2003 men's basketball championship tournament, eliminating some of the games from one location in order to spread them around to the participating college sites.
"It's a bold and daring statement on our part," said Bob Lovell, the Horizon League's associate commissioner, who was a guest speaker at Wednesday's affair organized by the Penguin Club and attended by about 150 guests. "We are taking the tournament to the fans."
Lovell said the league made the change to increase interest and attendance in the tournament that determines the league champion and NCAA qualifier. In some instances, each game will be a home game for one of the participating teams.
"We lacked crowds," he said of the previous one-site tournament. "We were virtually playing in front of no people."
Lovell said the league, comprised of YSU, Butler, Cleveland State, Detroit, Illinois-Chicago, Loyola-Chicago, Wright State, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, continues to grow in stature.
"We're not afraid to change and do things differently," said Lovell. "We're knocking on the door to be a top league. We think the league will be much better."
Better attendance
The men's tourney will be held March 4-7-8-11, with the first three games, involving the last six teams in the regular season standings, played at campus sites. Sites for the remaining games will be announced.
The final on March 11 will be televised by ESPN, and Lovell said the title game could be played at YSU in newly-renovated Beeghly Center if the Penguins advance and other factors pan out.
Trevor Parks, YSU's sports information director, said the main reason for the change is that last year's men's tourney final in Cleveland was between two Chicago teams and attracted only about 2,000 fans because of the travel involved, and it was televised on ESPN.
He said that if the final were played at one of the schools, perhaps 6-8,000 fans would show up, which also would make it better for TV.
The Horizon women's tournament will continue to be held at one site, with the 2003 event slated March 5-6-7-9 at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Getting better
YSU men's coach John Robic said his first season in the Horizon League was a learning experience.
"We got indoctrinated into the Horizon. I never realized what a jump it would be. It is a professional league and it will be even better this year," said Robic. "I'm glad we made the jump. I'm confident we will continue rising in this league."
He said his team "will be bigger and more skilled than last year."
DiGregorio said he has three or four players out with illness or injury, and he's hoping to get them well to join eight or nine other players.
"We've got to get healthy," he said.