Don’t tell Toledo the WNIT is meaningless.
Eleven years ago, the Rockets changed the trajectory of the women’s basketball program not only by winning the WNIT, but by welcoming a legion of supporters who jumped aboard the bandwagon and have never left.
“I’m not sure in my time here that I’ve ever seen the community and the university lock arms like that. Never,” said 20-year Toledo athletic director Mike O’Brien.
Many of those fans will be back in Savage Arena Friday night when Toledo hosts Houston Baptist in the first round of the WNIT.
When O’Brien hired Tricia Cullop in 2008, Toledo already had a proud women’s basketball history. The Rockets played in seven NCAA tournaments during an 11-year span from 1991 to 2001, advancing to the second round three times. And since 1990, UT has led the Mid-American Conference in attendance.
Some of those years, the Rockets would have been in the top six among MAC men’s programs.
But numbers sagged during Cullop’s first two seasons, with Toledo ranking 46th nationally in 2008-09 (2,674) and 48th in 2009-10 (2,720). The average attendance at Savage Arena fell to 2,560 in 2010-11 — and then the Rockets beat Delaware, Auburn, Alabama, Syracuse, Charlotte, and Southern California, a 19-day journey that changed the program and remains the only postseason basketball tournament a MAC school has ever won.
“We doubled our fan base,” Cullop said. “It also made our players believe that they could do anything if they truly believed in each other. We beat some teams that we weren’t supposed to beat. We were able to host teams that had we called them and tried to schedule the games, they wouldn’t have come to Savage Arena. For our players to not only play those teams, but beat those teams, it gave them so much confidence.”
The six WNIT games — all played at Savage Arena — drew 25,699 fans, an average of 4,283. The semifinal against Syracuse and championship game against USC sold out, with attendance figures north of 7,000 people. The USC game sold out in six hours.
The hoopla reached such a level that local restaurants had watch parties so fans could see the game on CBS Sports Network.
“No. 1, I think the players on that team were special.” Cullop said. “They were fun to watch. They were easy to like. They were inspiring. As everyone in the community’s favorite team got knocked out of the NCAA tournament, there was still a hunger for basketball. Some of the people that came to our games as we were midway through that run, it was their first time to ever see our team play. And I think they got hooked. It was an electrifying moment.”
More than a decade later, Cullop still has people that tell her they attend every home game or make sure they watch or listen to road games. The stats back up her statement.
Since 2011-12, Toledo has averaged at least 3,420 fans every season, never ranking lower than 31st nationally in attendance.
In 2011-12 and 2012-13, the Rockets had better attendance than Ohio State. The highwater mark was 2015-16 when UT averaged 4,050 fans per home game. Toledo is averaging 3,547 this season, with four of 14 home games attracting more than 4,000 people.
“I knew we had fans, but I didn’t know it was that crazy. My first game I was actually really nervous, because I’d never played in front of that many fans before, and they were all going crazy,” said junior guard Quinesha Lockett, an Omaha, Neb., native. “It made me happy and excited to see the type of environment I’d be playing in during college.
“When you have a big fan base, you really want to show up for them and show them why they’re buying tickets. Playing in front of our fans does make us want to play better. We don’t want to let them down and we want them to be excited.”
The Rockets have won 15 consecutive home games.
The atmosphere and support is why Toledo’s coaching staff believes they can win any recruiting battle as long as they get a player to visit campus.
Cullop’s teams have ingratiated themselves with the community because of their talent, their work in the classroom, and the absence of off-the-court troubles. But the head coach is the star of the show, a constant presence at numerous charitable fundraisers and causes throughout northwest Ohio.
Recognizable names like Kelly Savage, Jane Roman, Chrys Peterson, Rita Mansour, and Wendi Huntley have befriended Cullop and her program, offering mentorship to players in a variety of fields.
“I always tell people that Tricia has a communication degree from Purdue, and there’s no one who can use it better than her,” O’Brien said. “She’s the best. She’s sincere. She’s genuine. What you see is what you get. She’s very involved. Forget about the University of Toledo activities, she’s involved in the community and surrounding areas with various speaking engagements.”
The love affair between Cullop, UT, and northwest Ohio has roots in 2008, but the relationship blossomed after the Rockets were hurting from not making the NCAA tournament in 2011, using that fuel for an otherworldly run to the WNIT championship.
The memorable March run was instrumental in Cullop rejuvenating interest in the program, raising the standards, and making Toledo a destination in women’s basketball.
“Toledo is home,” Cullop said. “I came here 14 years ago not knowing what to expect. What I have found is that the people here are easy to get to know. They’re unbelievable supporters of our program. I’ve met and connected with life-long friends who are amazing people, who would do anything for you and not ask for anything in return. I watch them in our community and I want to be like them.”
First Published March 17, 2022, 1:51 p.m.
