My brush with fame

So Memphis coach John Calipari made his stand for women sportswriters Saturday. More likely, he just wanted to prove (again) how charming he thinks he can be and I became his unwitting accomplice. Here's what happened.

We're in the post-game media conference with Calipari and three of his starters from  Memphis' easy semifinal win over UCLA, Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Joey Dorsey. After Cal's opening statement, we were asked to direct questions to the players so they could leave first. In the very organized NCAA world where players are termed 'student-athletes' and questions must be asked with a microphone passed around by a volunteer who takes direction from an NCAA official on the podium with the coach and players, you raise your hand and wait to be picked. I waited a while when I decided I wanted to ask the senior Dorsey about how good Rose has been as a freshman point guard. (The kid is scary good).

But once I raised my hand, the NCAA official said there would be two more questions and he pointed to two reporters  (apparently both  male) on the other side of the room. No sweat, since I could still follow players to the locker room and get what I needed. After male reporter one asked his question, Calipari interrupted the move to male reporter two and told the NCAA guy that so many men had asked their question, and to give this woman a chance to ask hers, as she'd been raising her hand all day. I hadn't actually been doing that, but no matter. Cal looked at me, asked where I was from, I took the mike, introduced myself, and asked my question.

Not sure what it was all about, but there it is.

Oh, and the NCAA guy allowed one more question and gave male reporter two his time.