Photo by: CMU ATHLETICS
Women's History Month: Central Michigan Hosts 1980 Women's Final Four
3/31/2023 2:19:00 PM | General
Central Michigan and Mount Pleasant played a pivotal role in women’s basketball becoming an NCAA sport; Hall of Famers Marion Stanley, Pat Summitt, Ann Donovan, and Evelyn Johnson were all in attendance at the 1980 AIAW Final Four played at Central Michigan’s Rose Arena.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Mount Pleasant and Central Michigan played a key role in the formation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women's Basketball Tournament as in 1980, the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women held its Final Four on the campus of Central Michigan University.
This would mark a pivotal moment in women's collegiate athletics as one year later in 1981, the NCAA formed a governance plan that included women's athletics programs and services within the structure of the NCAA. And in March 1982, the first NCAA Division I, II, and III women's basketball tournaments were played under the NCAA umbrella.
Old Dominion, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Louisiana Tech were the four teams that advanced to the 1980 Final Four as Old Dominion eventually defeated Summiitt's Tennessee 68-53 in the national championship game. Three of the inaugural Women's Basketball Hall of Fame members were on the court during those games in 1980 as either a player or as coaches. Some of the legendary figures in attendance were Marion Stanley, Pat Head (Summitt), Ann Donovan and Evelyn Johnson.
"Hosting the AIAW Final Four in 1980 was a landmark event for women's basketball in this country," Zyzelwski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "Mount Pleasant and Central Michigan proved that a tournament of this scale could succeed and flourish. It also put Mount Pleasant on the map and it also strengthened women's college basketball in this country. We take great pride here at Central Michigan that we helped the women's tournament become what it is today."
Ironically, Folan will be attending the 2023 NCAA Women's Final Four at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas as she completes her first year on the prestigious NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Selection Committee.
A LOOK BACK:
In October 2022, WCMU Public Media, Central Michigan University produced a video on the 1980 AIWA Final Four: "Let's Go Back: Stories from the Clarke Historical Library" as archivist Bryan Whitledge exhibits photographic negatives taken by long-time Central Michigan University photographer Robert Barclay.
Gallery: (3-31-2023) 1980 AIAW Final Four Gallery
Also, CM Life reporter published a column on the impact the AIAW Final Four had on women's college basketball and the Central Michigan community.
AIAW cage finals, CMU in limelight
By Judy Cochrane, CM Life, March 10, 1980
A lot of eyes from across the nation will be focusing on the Tartan playing surface at Central Michigan's own Rose Arena this weekend.
The dream that seemed so far off for so long is suddenly becoming a reality and the honor and prestige which accompanies this dream is nothing to be overlooked.
For Friday and Sunday, CMU and the Mount Pleasant community will host the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Division I National Basketball Championships.
Central Michigan will be in the spotlight as NBC will televise the final game, which will decide the 1980 national champion, Sunday on Sportsworld.
Media from throughout the United States will be present to witness and report on the contests.
And the competition will be fierce. The top four teams in the nation will be fighting for the much-coveted national title.
The teams may not bear the names UCLA, Iowa, Purdue or Louisville, but I can guarantee the excitement will be equivalent to that aroused by the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships.
And to think it all will he herein the serene community of Mount Pleasant.
This event, if pulled off smoothly, which I am sure it will be, will bring something special to Central Michigan — EXPOSURE.
This probably is one of the best things that ever has or will happen to CMU in a long time. We'll be in the limelight. Mount Pleasant will be talked and read about across the nation.
But just how much exposure will this event give Central and will it be short-lived?
Guaranteed, if this championship had taken place one year ago, I don't believe it would've brought the attention that would've been necessary to get the CMU football team a postgame bowl bid last fall.
But, if this tournament finale reaches the right audience, it could bring CMU quite a bit of attention in the long-run in the, way of potential collegiate athletes and students.
I think hosting the AIAW championships will cause the eyes of a few college prospects to fall on Central Michigan, and the Mount Pleasant community.
Granted, a lot of prepsters may merely focus on the final four schools, but I believe the fact this University is able to accommodate the best women's teams in the nation will be attractive to many youngsters.
It will be so exciting to see Rose Arena in championship form. It would be even more interesting to see* the game on national television to see how Rose looks.
After watching numerous NCAA tourney games on the tube, I can only say I always was impressed with the way the host school looked.
They always look like they're really something. Important, prestigious, honored to host such an event.
It's hard to believe CMU will be in this same position Sunday afternoon when the NBC lights go on.
This whole adventure sounds fantastic, but I can think of two people offhand who will be closely observing the entire event to make sure everything runs as efficiently as possible.
Fran Koenig and Pat Podoll, the championship directors.
They have contributed endless hours of work making sure all plans are in order from tickets, awards and starting times to game balls, the national anthem and playing rules.
And it's all set to begin Friday with the 6 and 8:15 p.m. semifinals.
When the final four teams take to the court for their respective games, they may forget where they are as they concentrate on beating the opponent and earning the national title.
But, I certainly hope the spectators don't forget where they are. ' Welcome to Central Michigan!
This would mark a pivotal moment in women's collegiate athletics as one year later in 1981, the NCAA formed a governance plan that included women's athletics programs and services within the structure of the NCAA. And in March 1982, the first NCAA Division I, II, and III women's basketball tournaments were played under the NCAA umbrella.
𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣'𝙨 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝:#DYK: @CMUniversity, @CMUAthletics and Mount Pleasant hosted the 1980 Women's Final Four?
— CMU Athletics (@CMUAthletics) March 31, 2023
Read about it here:
📰 https://t.co/yZlj5c6rWe
🎥 https://t.co/Lkd552FEBe#FireUpChips🔥⬆️🏀 pic.twitter.com/P1942ifGO3
Old Dominion, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Louisiana Tech were the four teams that advanced to the 1980 Final Four as Old Dominion eventually defeated Summiitt's Tennessee 68-53 in the national championship game. Three of the inaugural Women's Basketball Hall of Fame members were on the court during those games in 1980 as either a player or as coaches. Some of the legendary figures in attendance were Marion Stanley, Pat Head (Summitt), Ann Donovan and Evelyn Johnson.
"Hosting the AIAW Final Four in 1980 was a landmark event for women's basketball in this country," Zyzelwski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "Mount Pleasant and Central Michigan proved that a tournament of this scale could succeed and flourish. It also put Mount Pleasant on the map and it also strengthened women's college basketball in this country. We take great pride here at Central Michigan that we helped the women's tournament become what it is today."
Ironically, Folan will be attending the 2023 NCAA Women's Final Four at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas as she completes her first year on the prestigious NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Selection Committee.
Celebrating 50 years of #TitleIX: @WCMUNews looks back at the 1980 AIAW Women's Basketball Championship hosted by @CMUniversity in Mt. Pleasant, #Michigan--a major moment in the history of equality in sports.https://t.co/9KiW2AEIMK@CMUAthletics pic.twitter.com/NB1p5G76qc
— Clarke Historical Library (@Clarke_Library) October 19, 2022
A LOOK BACK:
In October 2022, WCMU Public Media, Central Michigan University produced a video on the 1980 AIWA Final Four: "Let's Go Back: Stories from the Clarke Historical Library" as archivist Bryan Whitledge exhibits photographic negatives taken by long-time Central Michigan University photographer Robert Barclay.
Are you ready for tonight's #FinalFour games in the #NCAAWomensBasketball tournament?!?! Check out this video to learn more about the history of the women's championship, when @CMUAthletics hosted the #FinalFour in Mt. Pleasant. #MarchMadness @WCMUNewshttps://t.co/vzoOAb031h pic.twitter.com/jRIE4q03kL
— Clarke Historical Library (@Clarke_Library) March 31, 2023
Also, CM Life reporter published a column on the impact the AIAW Final Four had on women's college basketball and the Central Michigan community.
AIAW cage finals, CMU in limelight
By Judy Cochrane, CM Life, March 10, 1980
A lot of eyes from across the nation will be focusing on the Tartan playing surface at Central Michigan's own Rose Arena this weekend.
The dream that seemed so far off for so long is suddenly becoming a reality and the honor and prestige which accompanies this dream is nothing to be overlooked.
For Friday and Sunday, CMU and the Mount Pleasant community will host the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Division I National Basketball Championships.
Central Michigan will be in the spotlight as NBC will televise the final game, which will decide the 1980 national champion, Sunday on Sportsworld.
Media from throughout the United States will be present to witness and report on the contests.
And the competition will be fierce. The top four teams in the nation will be fighting for the much-coveted national title.
The teams may not bear the names UCLA, Iowa, Purdue or Louisville, but I can guarantee the excitement will be equivalent to that aroused by the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships.
And to think it all will he herein the serene community of Mount Pleasant.
This event, if pulled off smoothly, which I am sure it will be, will bring something special to Central Michigan — EXPOSURE.
This probably is one of the best things that ever has or will happen to CMU in a long time. We'll be in the limelight. Mount Pleasant will be talked and read about across the nation.
But just how much exposure will this event give Central and will it be short-lived?
Guaranteed, if this championship had taken place one year ago, I don't believe it would've brought the attention that would've been necessary to get the CMU football team a postgame bowl bid last fall.
But, if this tournament finale reaches the right audience, it could bring CMU quite a bit of attention in the long-run in the, way of potential collegiate athletes and students.
I think hosting the AIAW championships will cause the eyes of a few college prospects to fall on Central Michigan, and the Mount Pleasant community.
Granted, a lot of prepsters may merely focus on the final four schools, but I believe the fact this University is able to accommodate the best women's teams in the nation will be attractive to many youngsters.
It will be so exciting to see Rose Arena in championship form. It would be even more interesting to see* the game on national television to see how Rose looks.
After watching numerous NCAA tourney games on the tube, I can only say I always was impressed with the way the host school looked.
They always look like they're really something. Important, prestigious, honored to host such an event.
It's hard to believe CMU will be in this same position Sunday afternoon when the NBC lights go on.
This whole adventure sounds fantastic, but I can think of two people offhand who will be closely observing the entire event to make sure everything runs as efficiently as possible.
Fran Koenig and Pat Podoll, the championship directors.
They have contributed endless hours of work making sure all plans are in order from tickets, awards and starting times to game balls, the national anthem and playing rules.
And it's all set to begin Friday with the 6 and 8:15 p.m. semifinals.
When the final four teams take to the court for their respective games, they may forget where they are as they concentrate on beating the opponent and earning the national title.
But, I certainly hope the spectators don't forget where they are. ' Welcome to Central Michigan!
—CMU—
CMU Athletics Connection - Fundraising
Monday, September 15
Chippewa Check-In
Friday, September 12
CMU Athletics Meet & Greet
Wednesday, June 11
CMU Athletics Connection with Amy Folan
Thursday, May 22