Ahoy Matey! Last night, the Women's Final Four teams had a chance to celebrate their accomplishments in true "Buccaneer" fashion. At approximately 6 p.m., the four teams were welcomed aboard the "StarShip" cruise by authentic pirates and greeted with beaded treasures and thick Caribbean accents.

Each team was fitted for rings while aboard the ship and enjoyed appetizers and the scenic views of the Hillsborough River. The boat docked at the Tampa Convention Center, where family and Women's Final Four greeters awaited their arrival.

Each team disembarked the cruise and entered the venue where the real celebration began at the Women's Final Four Salute Dinner. Emcees Debbie Antonelli, analyst for ESPN and the WNBA, and Beth Mowins, ESPN broadcaster and reporter, introduced each team as they paraded in from the rear of the ballroom. NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee chair, Judy Southard, welcomed all of the attendees and the four featured teams: University of Connecticut, Louisiana State University, Stanford University and University of Tennessee.

One of the highlights of the evening was the first public performance of "The Power of the Dream"--a song devoted to the journey of the female student-athlete and sure to be the future anthem of Women's Basketball. Sarah Lenore, a country music recording artist blew the house away with her powerful vocals and presentation. Watch out! This song could soon be hitting the country charts with its meaningful lyrics and Sarah's outstanding voice!

An eloquent dinner of salad, filet mingon, mahi mahi, potatoes and a scrumptious chocolate cake was served before the program started. They definitely know how to please the palates of student-athletes!

The tables were adorned with starfish candles and treasure chests for each guest to bring home and the stage was trimmed with pirate ships, tropical fish, lighthouses and ship wheels--a perfect theme for the tropical Tampa weather.

The guest speaker was a phenomenal asset to the program. Brigadier General Michelle D. Johnson, a former U.S. Air Force Academy basketball student-athlete and Rhodes Scholar, addressed the audience and shared her advice with the student-athletes. In addition to being the Deputy Director for the War on Terrorism, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate and a distinguished pilot, General Johnson is the most decorated female athlete in Academy history. She spoke to the student-athletes about leadership and what it means to have an impact on so many others' lives and encouraged them to visualize themselves accomplishing every mission. As well, General Johnson instigated thoughts of the future--not just as basketball players, but as leaders of a Fortune 500 company or difference-makers in the education industry.

Next, each of the teams was individually introduced. The head coaches, along with two student-athletes from each team, took the stage where Debbie and Beth asked them questions specific to the teams' seasons, history and legacies. Also, local middle-school students submitted questions for the players and coaches and wrote essays describing what "the power of the dream" meant to them. The winning students were presented during the dinner. What an exceptional opportunity provided to the youth of Tampa!

The Salute Dinner concluded with a highlight video of each team's journey to the Final Four - closing with the phrase of weekend "And then there were four..."

Some teams stayed for photo ops in front of the nautical stage and others quickly departed the Convention Center.

What a fabulous start to the quest for the ultimate treasure--a National Championship.