NCAA Final Four: Houston Was Much More Hospitable Than UConn's D

At the NCAA Tournament Final Four, I’m back in the town where it all started: comic books, dreadlocks, run-and-shoot.

I know this place. Houston is a great sports town—chic, international and affordable.  

Inside the “610 Loop” that encircles its downtown, the medical center, a number of universities, pro athletic arenas and affluent neighborhoods, an economic downturn is not apparent.  Houstonians happily endure Southern humidity to shop, dine and embellish an opportunity to host a party. 

It’s been many a day since I donned a helmet emblazoned with an oil derrick and motivated by the recurring chant, “Love Ya Blue!”  The Oilers of old morphed into today’s Tennessee Titans long ago. 

The edifice that housed the likes of Campbell, Stabler, “White Shoes” Johnson and Moon has been replaced by the latest architecture, technology and a new team called the Texans. 

The aged Astrodome pales silently in the shadow of the brilliant Reliant Stadium. Maybe it should be torn down. This historic relic seems odd juxtaposed against the 75,000 multi-colored fans entering the “new” stadium that played host to the 2011 NCAA Final Four. 

Nevertheless, the arrow of time presses forward.

Back to reality. 

I came here along with other athletic administrators, coaches and fans to experience the pageantry of college basketball in this super sports town of the South. The city of Houston was more than game to put on a good show for the NCAA.  Obviously, the games did deliver. 

VCU took Butler to task, but the returning finalist proved too savvy for the Cinderella.  UConn powered its way past Kentucky.  In the final, it was all UConn and its smothering defense. The Huskies were undefeated in tournaments this year and are now national champions. 

For the fans, Houston had much more to offer and didn’t blink at the onslaught of Virginians, East Coasters and Midwesterners looking for revelry.  Whether you were downtown, near the Galleria or on Kirby Street, the food was tasty and the watering holes aplenty. 

Philosophizing with Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams or Morgan State’s Todd Bozeman was comfortable and unobstructed.  I was proud of the city where I played tight end with Warren Moon, Oliver Luck, Mike Munchak and the late Drew Hill. 

Houston should be on the permanent list of cities that host the Final Four party; 2016 is already in the plans and—probably—so is another Super Bowl.  I never thought watching a basketball game in a football stadium would be fun, but Houston made it so. 

I guess if they accepted an Iowa native who chased linebackers, read Spiderman comic books and wore dreads when no one else did, then Southern hospitality is the real deal.

Former NFL tight end Jamie Williams is the first director of athletics at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, the largest and most renowned private art university in the country.