27.7 F
Indianapolis
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Anucha Browne talks Women’s Final Four

More by this author

Beginning April 3, Indianapolis will welcome several student athletes, fans and visitors to the Circle City as the NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship Tournament will take place at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

As vice president of women’s basketball championships, Anucha Browne sets the strategic direction for and oversees the operation and management of the NCAA Division I, II and III women’s basketball championships.

Prior to taking her current role, Browne worked for IBM for 11 years then worked in professional sports for several years following.

The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper spoke with Browne about the upcoming event taking place in downtown Indianapolis as well as her personal experience on being a woman in the male-dominated sports industry.

Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper: What can fans expect from this year’s Women’s Final Four? This is the 35th anniversary of the event, correct?

Browne: Yes! In celebration of the 35th anniversary, we are hosting the Division I, II and III championships all in one location and weekend at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It’s going to be a celebration of the sport, and it’s been 35 years since the NCAA instituted women’s basketball as a championship sport. It’s also the 20th anniversary of the WNBA and the 40th anniversary of the very first women’s Olympics team, so there is a lot to celebrate this time around. It’s neat that it’s all happening in Indy, as Indiana has a rich history of basketball. Fans can expect a variety of events revolving around these anniversaries. It’s really all about celebrating women. We’ll have a series of events happening, every day the championship occurs, that’s about empowering women.

These events typically bring in lots of people. What else is going on this weekend?

We have a lot of family-focused events happening in Tourney Town at the Indiana Convention Center. That night we will also host a kickoff party which will feature a fashion show and Salt-N-Pepa.

From your perspective as a former student-athlete, what types of pressure are these athletes under when it comes to competing in a tournament on this scale?

They have prepared their entire careers for this moment, and many of them have dreamed about going to the Final Four since they began in the fall. We hold a banquet where we honor the student-athletes for their accomplishments. Most importantly, they come to the Final Four ready to compete.

It takes someone special to take charge of an event as large as this, and you’ve held several leadership positions. Explain any challenges you’ve faced being a woman in leadership positions in sports.

Many times, I have been in environments where I am the only (woman). Male executives heavily dominate our industry. I’ve gotten some great lessons from mentors over the years. I remember not feeling comfortable about it and being reminded I could not be in the room at all, so it changed my perspective. My training in sports has really helped me overcome some of those challenges that (impact) women who don’t necessarily have a sports background, because I’m a competitor and I’m a team player. If I’m working with a team of all men or being managed by a man, I’m comfortable in that space.

- Advertisement -

Upcoming Online Townhalls

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to our newsletter

To be updated with all the latest local news.

Stay connected

1FansLike
1FollowersFollow
1FollowersFollow
1SubscribersSubscribe

Related articles

Popular articles

Español + Translate »
Skip to content