Coach Sydney Carter works with Marriott during game day rituals

For the primary time in 17 years, Cleveland will host the Women’s Final Four on April 4-7, and Ohio may gain advantage from that excitement. The women’s final 4 comes amid a surge in viewership and attendance for ladies’s college basketball games. According to the NCAA, the ladies’s tournament set attendance records in the primary two rounds over the past two years, while TV viewership in those rounds increased by greater than 27%. Last yr’s championship game between LSU and Iowa attracted a median of nearly 10 million viewers, greater than double the previous yr.

When the madness reaches, 20,000 people from all around the country are expected participate in a tournament that may usher in $25 million.

This yr, the Cleveland Women’s Final Four tournament receives an extra boost from a strategic partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and Sydney Carter, a renowned women’s college basketball coach and current director of player development for the University of Texas women’s basketball team. Marriott Bonvoy, a preeminent travel program with a various portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, recognizes the profound impact of sports tourism and strives to boost the fan experience. Their “Score Big with Marriott Bonvoy Game Day Rituals” campaign not only celebrates the keenness of sports fans, but in addition offers fans the prospect to participate in the thrill first-hand.

Before the two-day tournament BLACK ENTERPRISES spoke with Sydney Carter about working with Marriott, reflecting on her journey from player to educate and discussing the importance of game day rituals.

Women’s Final Four

The Women’s Final Four is not just about basketball; is a robust event that transforms cities into economic hubs, and Cleveland is not any exception. Beyond the financial boost, the Final Four has a deeper resonance – it’s a celebration of athleticism, teamwork and the culmination of years of dedication.

Reflecting on her journey with player to educateCarter emphasizes: “March Madness is one of those special moments every year – no matter where you come from or who you support, people come together to celebrate the excitement of the tournament. As someone who has traveled extensively throughout my basketball career, I have seen how travel – much like sports – can bring people together, change their perspective, and create connection and community.”

Enthusiasm for ladies’s basketball has grown exponentially over the past decade, and the stories surrounding it proceed to grow, attracting huge audiences and latest fans. The names Angel Reese, Clark and USC’s Juju Watkins are widely known amongst sports fans and lots of individuals who typically don’t care about women’s basketball.

Game day rituals

A stalwart within the basketball community, Coach Carter shares her knowledge and fervour with the “Score Big with Marriott Bonvoy Game Day Rituals” campaign, embodying the essence of game day rituals.

“As a former basketball player and coach, game day rituals have always been a part of my schedule. Whether you choose Fireball Day or listen to a specific song, pregame traditions are something players and sports fans can identify with,” Carter said.

When it involves their favorite team, sports fans will do anything to influence the consequence of the match. According to a survey by Wakefield Research, 63% of sports fans who’ve game day rituals imagine their team will lose in the event that they don’t complete their rituals, and a staggering 74% said they might risk their job to observe their team play for mastery in working hours.

Carter, who played college basketball at Texas A&M and professionally within the WNBA, remembers when her game day rituals began, recalling, “I’ve had several game day rituals for so long as I can remember. As a player, before each match I drank a specific amount of water and ate a certain bar, and I at all times wore my uniform inside out.

Partnering with JW (Marriott), known for creating mindful experiences, is an ideal fit for Carter, who continues to attend each day games as a coach.

“Now, as a coach, I still put everything first, but my game day rituals also include drinking a cup of coffee – or two – doing my makeup and choosing an outfit that will help me feel prepared and confident to lead my team.”

Creating March Madness memories

With the Women’s Finals on the horizon, Cleveland looks to showcase its skills as a bunch city and the enduring spirit of ladies’s college basketball. Thanks to Carter’s partnership with Marriott Bonvoy, fans can expect experiences that transcend the game. Carter and two lucky winners will have the ability to sit down courtside and take part in a private game day rituals session with Carter herself. Celebrating the fervour, tradition and power of formality in sports, the ladies’s college basketball finals will undoubtedly be an experience to recollect.

“Game day rituals are extremely important,” Carter states. “Not only do they provide a sense of familiarity, but by doing the same routine before a match, you immediately put yourself in the right frame of mind and know that you know what you need to do to perform at your best so you can achieve your goals. The Score Big with Marriott Bonvoy Game Day Rituals campaign is a fun way to showcase how important these traditions are to players and fans. I’m glad I can be a part of it!”