Since its opening home game, the Bowling Green Hot Rods are breaking even with their 12-12 record, but Bowling Green’s downtown square is alive and well.

The simple presence of the Hot Rods as well as its 8-8 record since its debut at the Bowling Green Ballpark on April 17, has brought new patrons to the businesses that surround the ballpark.

After months of anticipation, professional baseball made its debut in Bowling Green on Friday night.

Friday, men’s basketball senior forward Matt Maresca graced the front page of the USA Today. The Toppers were also on the front of USA Today’s sports section.

By Sunday, the Women’s NCAA tournament had tipped off in Diddle Arena, and with every trip up and down the floor by the players, cameras showed Western’s trademark red towel.

With a large contingency dressed in orange at Diddle Arena on Sunday night, coach Pat Summit stepped out from the tunnel and onto the court just before tip-off.

Hearing yourself think was pretty much out of the question.

But at the end of a historic night, Diddle probably felt like anything but a second home to the Lady Vols.