April 5, 2005

By Andy Elrick
Special to CSTV.com

If you spend any time talking to a sports writer about Final Four cities, one name comes up more than any other.

"I can't wait for next year, we're back in Indianapolis," Mike Decourcy of The Sporting News said to me the other day, as we drove in the shadow of the arch towards our riverside set.

Many who visit or work at the Final Four every year will tell you they wish the NCAA would permanently place the event in the town in which it is headquartered. I have never personally been to a Final Four in Indy, but the consensus seems to be that in terms of convenience, it can't be beat.

That being said, the NCAA has already handed out championship weekends through 2010, and while Indianapolis will host it twice (2006 and 2010) sports writers will also converge on Atlanta (2007), San Antonio (2008), and Detroit (2009), so I wouldn't plan on a permanent home any time soon.

But before we move on, let's take one last look at a city that will likely be in the running for more Final Fours down the road, "The Lou", and how it stacked up in some important categories.

Food: Many fans will remember the 2005 Final Four because it matched the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country against each other, but for me it will always be remembered for its nachos. Somehow I managed to miss every press meal this weekend, and so I ate enough Diet Coke and processed cheese to put Rick Majerus to shame. Outside of the dome, however, I had several good meals, and while the St. Louis restaurant scene is far from Manhattan or New Orleans, my belly stayed full the entire trip - the food was solid.

Transportation: St. Louis is a fairly easy city to get around.  I spent much of the weekend chauffeuring coaches from place to place and can tell you that I may be able to drive from our set to the Millennium Hotel, where the NABC was headquartered, with my eyes closed.

Nightlife: I lived in Hartford for many years, and I have to admit St. Louis reminds me a lot of the insurance capital of the world. Despite the fact that the downtown was packed with fans, you get the impression that after everyone leaves work on an average Tuesday, there are tumbleweeds rolling down Market Street.  

People: You can't go wrong with the Midwest. The people were about as nice as it's possible to be. I was here for five days and only got in one fight, with a parking attendant, and that may have actually been my fault. One fight in five days isn't bad for a New Yorker.

Venue: The Dome was spacious and - nachos aside - did a great job of hosting college basketball's biggest weekend of the year.

Weather: Obviously this is entirely out of everyone's control, but before making the trip someone mentioned that this was tornado season.  I had visions of Seth Greenberg being picked right up out of his director's chair by a twister, but we were in luck.  The weather could not have been more beautiful, and considering the apocalyptic rainstorms in New York while were gone, St. Louis wasn't a bad place to be weather-wise.

All in all, St. Louis proved itself more than capable of putting on a solid show and I wouldn't be surprised to see everyone making another March to the Arch in 2011.  I'll bring the salsa.

Andy Elrick is CSTV's News Editor and writes a weekly basketball column for CSTV.com. During the NCAA Tournament, he will be commenting more frequently on the action and the event. To respond or comment, write Andy.

Andy's Last Column: April 4: Beers With Mr. Blue Hands