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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2022)
Page 8 December 07, 2022 s ports PDX Lands First-Ever NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four Moda Center will serve as epicenter of 2030 event Portland has been announced as the official host city for the 2030 Division I NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, per offi- cial NCAA statement. It will be Portland’s first time hosting this world-class event, and the bid process has been driven collabo- ratively by Sport Oregon, Travel Portland, the Rose Quarter/ Port- land Trail Blazers, and the Univer- sity of Portland Pilots. “To say we are excited is a massive understatement – this is a huge win for our community and our bid partners,” said Sport Or- egon CEO Jim Etzel. “It is a tes- tament to the culture and passion of women’s basketball fans in Or- egon. We are deeply appreciative of the Women’s Basketball Com- mittee and the NCAA for choos- ing Portland, and we can’t wait to show everyone what we already Photo Courtesy Sport Oregon know, that this is the best place in the world for women’s athletics.” Portland was a finalist for the 2025 and 2026 Women’s Final Fours back in 2020, but ultimate- ly fell short in securing either of those events. In 2019, Portland hosted one of the most successful Women’s Basketball Regionals in history, and were set to do the same in 2020 before the cancel- lation of the NCAA Tournament. The University of Portland will act as the host school for the Port- land Women’s Final Four. “It is a tremendous honor to serve as the institutional host on this successful bid to bring the NCAA Division I Women’s Bas- ketball Final Four to Portland,” University of Portland Vice Pres- ident for Athletics Scott Leykam We want to see our community stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please: Black Health Matters North by Northeast Community Health Center is the only clinic in Oregon devoted to African American health. We provide welcoming, high quality health care to adults who have Oregon Health Plan. Since 2006, our priority has been to serve the local African American community and to reduce the deadly effects of high blood pressure and diabetes. We are accepting new patients, and if you’re uninsured, we can help you get covered! Protect yourself and others by getting the COVID-19 vaccine (and booster when you are eligible). Call us at (503) 287-4932 to schedule a vaccine appointment. said. “The University of Portland is home to women’s athletic pro- grams that were at the forefront of the growth of women’s sports in our great city and state and this is a great way for us to continue that legacy.” The bidding group has worked for the bulk of this year on mak- ing their pitch to the NCAA. Rep- resentatives from the NCAA and Women’s Basketball Committee were in Portland in September for the official site tour, and had a chance to analyze critical ven- ues, and meet several stakeholders in the community. The bidding group’s final presentation to the NCAA was held November 16th in Dallas. Now, Moda Center and the Rose Quarter will serve as the epicenter of women’s basketball in 2030. “We are thrilled to have the op- portunity to hold the NCAA Wom- en’s Final Four in Portland at the Rose Quarter in 2030,” said Chris Oxley, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter. “The success of the women’s regional in 2019 held at Moda Center, last year’s men’s tournament, and the con- tinued success of other collegiate basketball events on our campus is a testament to the passionate basketball fans that make up our community. We’re thrilled to con- tinue bringing high level women’s basketball to Portland. A Women’s Final Four will be an economic boon for the Port- land hospitality community, as the WBCA Coaches Convention will also make Portland its home over the same weekend. Between the WBCA and the Women’s Fi- nal Four, an estimated 11,000 ho- tel rooms will be utilized for the overall event between downtown and the Lloyd District. “It is with immense pleasure and pride that Travel Portland celebrates the NCAA’s Women’s Final Four coming to Portland,” said Jeff Miller, President & CEO of Travel Portland. “With over 50 years of supporting women’s athletics, there is not another city in the country that will embrace this event and what it stands for more than Portland. Travel Port- land - along with our partners - enthusiastically looks forward to welcoming the world of women’s basketball to our inclusive, diverse and women’s-sports-loving city.” The Oregon Convention Cen- ter will host the WBCA Coaches Convention, along with Tourney Town, a free public fan festival for basketball fans. Several oth- er events will be held around Fi- nal Four weekend throughout the city, along with legacy-building community opportunities in the years prior. An official Local Or- ganizing Committee will also be developed, inclusive of the bid- ding organizations. Portland was among seven finalist cities for the five open years of hosting. “We’ve put in a lot of work to get to this day, and this is cer- tainly a great feeling,” said Etzel. “But the work we have ahead of us is even more substantial. Our bidding partners are aligned, our community is hungry, and Port- land is ready to host a Women’s Final Four.” Outside of Portland, the other winning host cities were Colum- bus, OH (2027); Indianapolis, IN (2028); San Antonio, TX (2029); and Dallas, TX (2031). Wear a well-fitting mask over your mouth and nose, ideally a surgical, N95 or KN95 mask. To make an appointment or learn about our services, contact us: MICHAEL HARPER www.nxneclinic.org (503) 287-4932 714 NE Alberta Street Portland, Oregon 97211 Agent Providing Insurance and Financial Services 9713 S.W. Capitol, Portland, OR 503-221-3050 • Fax 503-227-8757
