Final Four 2009

Sara Michele — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:00:52 +0000

Last weekend I had the opportunity to work for PrimeSport, photographing the ELITE and FAN Experiences for the Final Four. (Actually, technically, I worked for Platinum Mix, who was hired by PrimeSport to supply staff for the event….but I own Platinum Mix…therefore I got to schedule myself..ha!). The event started on Saturday for the NCAA semi-finals. I worked the ELITE Experience held at the Gem Theatre and Adam Czap worked the FAN Experience which was at the Cobo Center. Monday for the championship game, both Adam and I photographed the ELITE event happening at Ford Field.

All of the events had food, entertainment and special guest appearances from college basketball coaches and sports announcers. I really liked the ice sculptures they made for each team playing in the tournament and then the Final Four ice sculpture pictured below was set-up at the entrance of the Gem:

Here’s one of me and Adam (I’m the short one…haha):

Here’s one of Bucky Waters, who is a current basketball broadcaster with ESPN and a retired NCAA basketball head coach:

Bruce Pearl, head coach of the University of Tennessee basketball team signs autographs for guests:

Detroit Mayor candidate Dave Bing was one of the guests in attendance:

The next picture doesn’t really have any significance, I just like it.

Monday’s ELITE experience at Ford Field was amazing. I had so much fun! PrimeSport had a wii setup, gourmet buffet, free massages, open bar, video games, and more of the “Coach Talk”. The also had a surprise for all the guests – two hall of fame basketball players made a special apperance. The next two photos are of David Robinson and John Stockton. Adam Czap gets the credit for the David Robinson photo. As soon as they announced these guys were coming out, everybody rushed to the stage and I was stuck trying to fight through the crowd in the back. I made it to the front just in time to get one shot of him leaving, and plenty of John Stockton, but Adam was right on target with the next photo (You ROCK Adam!!):

After Adam and I finished photographing the event, we got to stay and watch the game! Awesome! (too bad MSU lost).

There’s so many pictures to show after 2 days and 3 seperate events of shooting. Here’s a little video I put together of some of my favorites that I think represent the whole experience:

Sara Michele Photography » corporate

Final Four 2009