WGCU Public Media has produced a new 30-minute documentary spotlighting the popular FGCU women’s basketball program and the team’s reputation for sinking three-pointers.
“Raining 3s” premiered on TV Nov. 12 and is now available for viewing on WGCU’s website.
“Raining 3s” presents a backstage pass to the 2014-15 women’s basketball season and FGCU’s first NCAA Tournament victory. The documentary also takes a critical look at what fans can expect this season, which kicks off Friday, Nov. 13, and examines what makes the Eagles one of the nation’s preeminent mid-major NCAA programs.
“Raining 3s” starts at the beginning of the basketball team’s development. Little more than a decade ago, with an arena still under construction, with nowhere to practice but under the sweltering Southwest Florida sun, on one outdoor court with no nets, FGCU women’s basketball was born. With only a dream to sell, visionary head coach Karl Smesko began paving a path to prominence … player-by-player, game-by-game, season-by-season.
David Moulton of ESPN radio describes the beginning of what is now considered one of the top women’s basketball programs in country: “It’s stunning what has emerged from dirt and trailers less than 15 years ago to what is now a top-25 program with the possibility of being an elite program the rest of the decade.”
“There were four buildings on campus and a bunch of trees and a vision,” former FGCU Athletic Director Carl McAloose says in the documentary. “Nobody knew what Florida Gulf Coast was and we said if we got them on campus and showed them Alico Arena, we could compete with anybody.”
Driven by hunger for success from these humble beginnings, the Eagles have won five straight Atlantic Sun regular-season championships while racking up a 212-45 record since joining Division I in 2007. A fervent fan base fills Alico Arena to see a fun ‘n’ gun offense rain three-pointers from the sky at a record rate.
“The records that Karl’s team has set from a 3-point standpoint is something that’s a very proud moment for our program and our fans take enjoyment in that,” says FGCU Athletic Director Ken Kavanagh.
“We’ve won a lot of conference championships. Each year’s had its exciting moments, and I’ve just tried to enjoy them along with the team,” Smesko explains in the documentary.
“Raining 3s” is a production of WGCU and is produced by Chris Nealon and Tom James and hosted by James. Funding for the film came from the FGCU Foundation; Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz PA; Ariel Capital Advisors LLC; and Jason’s Deli.
After their season-opener at North Carolina A&T, the women return to Alico Arena for a 7 p.m. tipoff against FAU on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Season tickets are still available, and packages range from $133 for general admission to $366 for club-level seating. Fans can secure their tickets by calling the FGCU Ticket Office at 239-590-7145 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by emailing [email protected]. A detailed seating map and additional ticket information can be found here.