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Saturday, March 22, 1997

Women's tournament missed in Amarillo

AMARILLO, Texas (AP) - For the first time in 29 years, the National Women's Invitational Tournament is not being held in Amarillo - or anywhere else.

Legislation passed by the NCAA last year put NWIT organizers in a bind, and created some financial hurdles they couldn't clear. In September, the tournament's board of directors voted to put the event on hold.

"I would say we're looking at between $70,000 and maybe $100,000 to do it up real good," said Pat Nolan, who served as the NWIT director last year.

The NWIT, which first crowned a champion in 1969, has been a three-day event featuring an eight-team field.

The tournament, which had no television contract and depended on local businesses for funding, made just $18,371 last year.

"We have the people that are willing to work ... if we just had the money to abide by the new NCAA rules," Nolan said.

In the past, teams selected for the NWIT have paid their own expenses - with the guarantee of getting to play three games in return.

Now it would likely take a corporate sponsor to find the money needed to resurrect the NWIT.

"We just need some people that would be willing to finance the tournament, without a guarantee of TV," Nolan said. "We have some people, especially those who have worked with it for over 25 years, they are really hating to see it die."

Nolan said the NCAA has said the tournament can return if enough money is found.

The NWIT board of directors applied for an exemption from the new NCAA guidelines, but that application - as well as a subsequent appeal - were denied.

Nolan said she has received letters from several coaches around the country who would like to see the NWIT resurrected.

"The coaches want a postseason tournament," Nolan said. "They feel like there are still too many good teams left out there (after the teams are chosen for the NCAA tournament)." Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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