Last year the Chattanooga Lady Mocs stunned the college basketball world with an 80-71 home win against the Tennessee Lady Vols.
Home is the key word as first year UTC head women's basketball coach Jim Foster plans to continue bringing in national-name recognition teams to McKenzie Arena starting with Villanova from the Big East for the 2014-15 season.
"UTC drew 9,000 at McKenzie Arena for Tennessee last year and we want larger crowds than that so we are working to bring in UConn and Notre Dame in the future," said coach Foster who spoke earlier today to the Chattanooga Quarterback Club lunch audience.
"I'm 65, so the future will hopefully be soon," he said with a laugh.
While he was coach at Ohio State, the Buckeyes had a few crowds in the 9-10,000 range and drew 17,000 against Penn State.
Last year, the Lady Mocs were 2-1 vs. Southeastern Conference schools with wins at Alabama and home against UT and a road loss at Auburn
"I would like to win the SEC again this year," Foster said with a smile.
This Week at Home: The Lady Mocs play Lee U. tonight at 7 p.m. in an exhibition game at McKenzie Arena and open the regular season Friday night against Alabama.
UTC travels to UT (Nov. 14) and hosts Auburn Sun., Nov. 24.
Home Tourneys in 2014-15: Foster said, "I would like a tournament at the beginning of the season and another one either at Thanksgiving or Christmas next season."
December on the Road: This year, the Lady Mocs play four of the first five games at home between Nov. 8 and Nov.24, but do not have another home game until Georgia Southern Fri. Jan.4.
Other Lunch Topics:
Opposing Fight Songs: "When we go on the road, my goal is to not know the other school's fight songs (i.e. win on the road, quiet the crowd). "I am not crazy about Rocky Top (UT fan favorite)," said Foster who once coached at Vanderbilt.
SEC Women at McKenzie: "I think it is possible for Chattanooga to host the SEC women's tournament sometime in the future."
The SEC tourney was played at McKenzie Arena; 1993-97, 99-2000,
Cutting the Nets: Asked his favorite memory of coaching in the SEC tournament at McKenzie.
Foster quickly replied, "Cutting down the nets." He coached Vandy to SEC titles in 1993 and 1995.
Throw Back Game: "We will play Appalachian State in Maclellan Gym on Saturday Feb. 8 and we will have some type of theme night so folks can wear clothes from an earlier era."
Unlimited Texting and Phone Calls: "I think you will see more kids commit to colleges as juniors just to get away from all the texting and phone calls from coaches. I believe all this contact with their children is driving the parents to have their kids commit early and get it over with."
Arrested in Most Places: "I asked some of my friends, 'how many 65-year-old man can talk to 16 year olds on the phone and everything is okay?'
"I think you can get arrested in most states for that," Foster said with a smile.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net