Visitation Christmas Tournament, Simply The Best Gathering In The Region

The Visitation Academy Christmas tournament had its modest roots dating all the way back to 1974.

Then coach Thad Strobach was tired of having Catholic schools beat up on each other from  early season through the state tournament.

Strobach founded the Viz tournament with 16 teams, inviting the best public and private schools to battle for supremacy on the girls’ side of the market.

The publics included Ladue, DeSoto, Parkway West, Clayton, Southwest, Lincoln (East St. Louis, IL) and other upstart programs. The games took place in the old, tiny gym, now used as a library. The balls used to bounce off the walls and school officials rigged closed circuit cameras to show the games to the overflow crowd in the hallways. Seating was an issue even in those days.

From its humble origin, the tournament has grown to become the model of excellence for girls basketball anywhere in the Midwest.

The fact is, the tournament is almost too successful. Limited parking and limited seating simply don’t allow everyone who wants to attend to do so. Every year, late arrivers are turned away as officials beg fans to squeeze in to free up more space. Athletic director and coach Paul Stoecklin even allowed chairs to be lined up end to end under both baskets for the first time with several rows of students sitting on the floor right up to the court’s edge. Balls could hardly sail off the court. Out of bounds was almost nonexistent.

The atmosphere is phenomenal. Incarnate Word Academy coach Dan Rolfes thought about a gazillion people were in the building for his title game with arch rival St. Joseph’s Academy.

Don’t get me wrong, this is the best holiday tournament for girls anywhere. The hospitality is great, the school is accommodating, and everyone has fun. I just wish there was more room to spread out.

Strobach used to take his bigger games during the regular season to places like SLUH, CBC and De Smet. Once, the Viz-St. Joe game at De Smet was so overcrowded, fans arriving for the Spartans-SLUH game simply could not get in. Even Notre Dame’s head coach Digger Phelps, there to recruit All American Steve Stipanovich had to be snuck in the back door to see the game.

Here’s an idea: Play all the games from opening round to semifinals at Viz. Then take the title game to a bigger arena like Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University, Maryville University, Washington University or one of the bigger high school gyms.

Fervent fans deserve that kind of consideration. It should not be expected that fans have to arrive two hours early just to find parking and a place to sit down. Heaven forbid if fans have to go to the bathroom or the concession stand. Their seat might be missing once they return.

I am certain the above mentioned facilities would work with Viz officials on advantageous holiday rental rates. More fan dollars would more than compensate for any lost revenue for a home finale.

Sister Isabel Clark, Viz’ dynamic leader and superfan, use your substantial influence to move this title game somewhere else. Put it on TV, do what you can to accommodate thousands of holiday revelers who truly want to see the very best holiday tournament around.

It can happen, it and should.

Here's a recap of the title game this year between IWA and St. Joe.