A bit of sponsorship history in light of State Farm taking over the "Kodak" All-Americans.

Kodak was one of the first companies to step up and support women's basketball -- or, should I say, post-Title IX basketball. (I don't want to forget Maytag, Aetna, or Hanes Hosiery, much less the business colleges.)

In March of 1975 the Eastman Kodak Company sponsored the inaugural Women's Basketball Coaches Clinic in conjunction with the national women's basketball collegiate championships, marking the first women's basketball corporate sponsorships.

1975 also marked their sponsorship of the first All-American Team.

In 1981, with the disolution of the AIAW looming and the NCAA in the future, several women's basketball coaches met to discuss the formation of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. It was Kodak who underwrote the cost of the meeting.

Something less generally known (if I'm remembering my conversation with the great Bill Wall of USA Basketball correctly) is that in 1976, when the US put together the first Olympic women's basketball team, no one outside the team and coaches really thought they'd survive the qualifiers (though no one told the players) and make the Montreal games.

When they did, there was no budget and no logistical planning in place. It was Bill who stepped in with his Amex to cover expenses and it was the head of Eastman Kodak who stepped in with housing and a place to practice up in Rochester, NY.

I can understand the business reasons Kodak might drop its sponsorship, and deeply appreciate State Farm stepping up to the plate -- even if that Pat Summitt ad is driving me a bit crazy.

But I also wanted to take a moment and express my appreciation for the people and company who had vision back when most people didn't have the sense to look.