Is It Fair That Cincinnati's Women Basketball Team Will Play In A 1,000 Seat High School Gym?

A lot of question were raised after the Cincinnati Enquire published an article noting that leaders were calling out UC officials for demoting the women to St. Ursula's gym.  The gym holds just 1,000 people and it will host the UC women while 5/3rd arena goes under renovation.  Some observers are saying this violates Title IX law.  Here is what the gym looks like and it only has seats on this side. 

This could not be more false.  It may not be what the women what, but this is the only choice at this point.  This was not a "sexist" decision.  Last year, the women's team had an average of 651 people show up to their games.  They had a TOTAL of  9,771 people come the entire season.  The men's team had 9,000+ in numerous games this year. The attendance for the women's was more this at 800 something, but I could not find an exact number.  Towards the end of the year, Cincinnati's men's team was selling out their 13,000 seat arena almost ever game.  The men's team had roughly 11 times the average attendance the women had this year having an average of 9,865.


The attendance for the men's team is going to be hire no matter what, but the reason for such a big gap is because of the women's team play. The women's team went 16-14 this year, but that was their best season in a long time. It's great that girls are finally getting the chance to win some games, but before this year, the last winning season UC women's basketball had was 2006 when they went 15-14. They haven't made the tournament since 2002.  Of the 32 conferences, 23 of them had a higher average of attendance then the women's team this year. The team fits right around the Big West who had an average of 775 people at each game. The AAC had an average of 2,009.


By the way this was not planned. It's not like the administrations was planning to throw the team in a high school gym.  NKU's BB&T arena just had to many conflicts to host the men and the women's teams.  If there was not as many conflicts then the women would be playing over in Northern Kentucky as well.  UC explored many other options, but this was the best available according to the Cincinnati Enquire. UC officials also said that they can make up the difference by giving women more media coverage and better travel accommodations.


Another note, this is just one year. Next year the women will be playing in the nicest arena in the conference right along side the men. So in no way is this a permanent home. 


Although it will be tough for the seniors who won't have their last game at 5/3rd arena, it will at least be a sellout and a louder environment. They are used to an empty 5/3rd arena, so this will be a change to see a packed gym.


In the end, the women's team is getting better and has a pretty good recruiting class coming in.  In one year nobody will be talking about this because both teams will be playing in a great arena, but for now, I see nothing wrong with this decision.  I would have liked something a little better, but it's pretty hard to find a gym that's not being used when the season starts in 6 months.  The women's volleyball team will also play games here next year.