BBW: Bama vs. UK

I shot my first women's basketball game at Coleman Coliseum since college and it was also my last ever. Next week the team will start playing at a newly renovated Fosters Auditorium. I think the space will be a better fit for the program considering the 15,000+ capacity coliseum was embarassingly empty for their game against Kentucky today. It was a shocking contrast to the packed out men's game against Kentucky a week or so ago. The media coverage was just as meager. I was literally the only photographer to show up more than 5 minutes before tip-off and almost the only person working on press row post-game. At the men's game the floor was crawling with videographers, photographers, and reporters well over an hour before the game and press row was so packed I was almost forced into the photo workroom that has spotty wireless.
It is nothing new that women's sports get far less attention or fan support than their male counterparts. However, it never ceases to bother me. No sport makes this fact more apparent than basketball. The place, the uniforms, the rules, they are all the same. Sure the women are a little slower paced and very rarely have the height for dazzling dunks, but they play scrappier not to mention tend to appreciate their few fans all the more.
I swear I'm not trying to bash bama fans into getting it in gear and supporting their ladies with the same fervor. Really it just makes me sad to see female athletes who work just as hard not get the same love from their communities.

Alabama 69, Kentucky 85


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Kaneisha Horn (40) shoots around Kentucky Wildcats forward Victoria Dunlap (34) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats coach Matthew Mitchell yells at a referee during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard A'Dia Mathies (1) shoots 2-points against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Shafontaye Myers (12) drives the ball past Kentucky Wildcats guard Bernisha Pinkett (10) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. The Wildcats won 82-69. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Victoria Dunlap (34) tries to manuever around Alabama Crimson Tide forward Tierney Jenkins (21) during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; labama Crimson Tide coach Wendell Hudson reacts on the sidelines during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard A'Dia Mathies (1) shoots around Alabama Crimson Tide forward Tierney Jenkins (21) during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama forward Tierney Jenkins (21) shoots past Kentucky Wildcats guard Crystal Riley (3) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. The Wildcats won 82-69. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard LaToya King (10) and Kentucky Wildcats guard Crystal Riley (3) dive after a loose ball during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Kaneisha Horn (40) maneuvers around Kentucky Wildcats forward Victoria Dunlap (34) during the first half at Coleman Coliseum. The Wildcats won 82-69. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Maegan Conwright (20) shoots past Alabama Crimson Tide guard Ericka Russell (23) during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE


Jan 30, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide coach Wendell Hudson reacts to action on the court during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-US PRESSWIRE