20+ years in the making is this announcement.

Just ask Harry Glickman. Then when POSA(Portland Oregon Sports Authority, which later became OSA) was formed, hosting NCAA was one of the top goals identified by the POSA board and founding executive director Craig Honeyman.

Now ably lead by Drew Mahalic, OSA board and staff but specifically Mahalic took it to a much higher level to see it all the way through. Great job Drew.

March Madness freaks already know 'em but here's the lyrics to 'One Shining Moment':

The ball is tipped
and there you are
you're running for your life
you're a shooting star
And all the years
no one knows
just how hard you worked
but now it shows...
(in) ONE SHINING MOMENT, IT'S ALL ON THE LINE
ONE SHINING MOMENT, THERE FROZEN IN TIME

But time is short
and the road is long
in the blinking of an eye
ah that moment's gone
And when it's done
win or lose
you always did your best
cuz inside you knew...
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED DEEP INSIDE
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU KNEW YOU WERE ALIVE

Feel the beat of your heart
feel the wind in your face
it's more than a contest
it's more than a race...

And when it's done
win or lose
you always did your best
cuz inside you knew...
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED FOR THE SKY
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU KNEW
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU WERE WILLING TO TRY
ONE SHINING MOMENT....

Posted by: got logic? at July 7, 2006 06:32 AM

Ahhh, sweet!

Some interesting talking points on Blue Oregon about the economic impact of March Madness on the local economy. In the meantime, there's a bigtime homegrown girls basketball tournament being played in Clackamas County this weekend. It annually brings in 4,000+ players, coaches, and family members from all over the US and Canada, selling out hotels from Gresham to Tigard, while pumping millions into area businesses. They've been going for well over twenty years, but it registers barely a blip on the local radar.

If you're serious about hoops, wander on down to Clackamas Community College or Oregon City High School Saturday evening, waive hello to Pat Summit, Geno Auriemma, and every Pac-Ten coach, and catch some serious hoops. The 7:30 games at both locations will be worth the trip. It may not be March Madness, but it's almost as much fun.

[Posted as indicated; restored later.]