DALLAS - In just over a month, the Big 12 Conference will find out if it - along with the city of Dallas and American Airlines Center - will host a women's Final Four. One of the final steps on that quest occurred Monday.

The 10-member NCAA women's basketball committee, which will choose five host cities late next month, were in town for the seventh of eight site visits. The red carpet was plush, clean and rolled out for the two dozen or so visitors.

Monday afternoon, the group made its way to the AAC. In Victory Park, which is just steps from the facility's South Entrance, they disembarked from their shuttle bus after a police escort. A camera feed placed the video of the committee's arrival on two of the eight movable screens that parallel the plaza. A large video board on the side of the AAC displayed welcoming messages.

But it takes more than glitz to convince a Final Four committee.

"We're looking forward to see which city takes this event to the next level," committee chair Jacki Silar of Duke University said. "We want to leave a legacy at each site that hosts the women's Final Four."

The committee has a criteria check list. The various items include the facility, hotels, transportation, community involvement, how the host city plans to handle the ancillary events associated with the Final Four.

"We have a lot of events that surround the Final Four," said Sue Donohoe, NCAA vice president of Division I women's basketball. "It's so much more than just crowning a national champion. It's very similar to a Super Bowl.

"The women's Final Four has sold out for 17 consecutive years and we want to continue to grow it as an event."

Victory Park is one of the added attractions that might help the Big 12 and the city of Dallas make their case. The outdoor plaza with the LED video screens provide a gathering place for fans.

"Tampa has a similar plaza area," said Silar, referring to the city that hosted the 2008 women's Final Four. "We were able to do something similar before the women's semifinals and championship game plus on Monday night we had a party and showed the men's championship game."

"It's great for the out-of-town fans who have tickets and as well as for the locals."

The committee will make its final site visit in San Antonio. On Nov. 11-12, all eight cities will make their final bid presentations in Indianapolis. The announcement of the cities that will host the 2012 through 2016 Final Fours will be made late in November.

The Great Eight
The eight cities that are bidding to become a host for the NCAA Women's Final Four in the years 2012 through 2016: