The Associated Press

HOUSTON -- Marsha Sharp and Bob Knight made quite a statement for Texas Tech basketball Wednesday in the first stop on the Red Raider Club's membership drive and fund-raiser.

Knight, hired March 23 to lead the Red Raiders men's team back to prominence, and Sharp, who led the Lady Raiders to the 1993 national championship, entertained the Houston chapter of the Red Raider Club.

More than 700 alumni showed up to hear Sharp and Knight at Westside Tennis Club. Tech officials were delighted at the turnout.

"We had our golf tournament down here and drew 90 entries," said Steve Uryzasz, executive director of the Red Raider Club. "This is the first time we've done anything like this. We've got 1,200 signed up for tomorrow night (today) in Dallas."

The outpouring of alum support has been gaining speed since Knight took over the downtrodden men's basketball program where Sharp's Lady Raiders regularly outdrew the men's games.

Sharp thinks the entire program has benefitted from Knight's presence in Lubbock.

"You couldn't buy the publicity that he's brought to Texas Tech and the women's program," Sharp said.

Knight, the fiery former Indiana coach known as much for his temper as his three NCAA national championships, steered away from any talk of his past, including his dismissal at Indiana. He said recruiting had been great.

"That's because I'm not going into the homes of the press," Knight said. "It's the parents and kids and high school coaches, people who pay attention to basketball with no agendas."

Tech athletic director Gerald Myers wasn't too surprised at the big response to Knight's presence.

"We were thinking big when we organized this," Myers said. "That's just an amazing response to the coach. We'll be in Dallas tomorrow night and we're going to plan something in San Antonio and Austin."

Knight mingled with the fans prior to the dinner.

"We're just trying to get our situation on the same footing as other teams in the league," Knight said. "We'll be competitive in November. Where we go beyond that I don't know. I haven't seen them play yet."

Knight is eager to get busy. Sitting out a year didn't dampen his desire to coach.

"I've always had enthusiasm to teach and to coach," Knight said. "This year is no different."

Knight starts his career at Tech with a 763-289 overall record in six years coaching at Army and 29 at Indiana. In addition to three national titles, Knight's record includes 11 Big Ten championship and an Olympic gold medal in 1984.

Knight needs 117 victories to catch former North Carolina coach Dean Smith, who leads the NCAA Division I-A in coaching victories.

Sharp led the Lady Raiders to 14 NCAA tournaments, including the 1993 national championship. She has a 459-141 record in her 19-year coaching career.