Airman from Wright Patterson Air Force Base will be in attendance at First Four

DAYTON — When the NCAA Tournament begins in Dayton next week, thousands of airman from Wright Patterson Air Force Base will be in the stands at the University of Dayton Arena.

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News Center 7′s John Bedell says the program helps gets those service members in the door without having to pay for their own ticket.

The First Four will kick off the NCAA Tournament at the UD Arena on March 14 and one of the sections will be filled with our service members and their families.

Their tickets are donated as a thank you for their service to our country and community.

Bedell says when the First Four comes to Dayton, people like Sarah Spees, The Big Hoopla Committee Director, is one of people working behind the scenes to help make it happen.

The Big Hoopla Committee supports the First Four and events surrounding it and one of them is their ticket donation program.

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Bedell reports on average, it donates 3,000-4,000 First Four tickets to airmen from Wright-Patt so they take in NCAA Tournament games.

“We take the funds that our sponsors give us, we purchase tickets and donate them to the airmen, their families, and students in STEM education so they can come and experience a great basketball games right here at UD Arena,” said Spees.

“I’ve been stationed at 11 places and Dayton,” said Colonel Charles Barkhurst, 88th Air Base Wing Vice Commander. “The Dayton surrounding community is the most welcoming community that I’ve been a part of.”

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Bedell spoke with base leadership and an enlisted airman about the program.

Colonel Barkhurst has been on the receiving end of a donated First Four ticket before.

“We get thousands of tickets donated every year from different arts places, different sports teams and of course, the Big Hoopla,” he said. “So, it’s great for our folks to get these free tickets to go out for a concert and see a game and they really love and appreciate it.”

Tech Sergeant James Mrosko has also been on the receiving end and the gesture does not go unnoticed.

“We’ll sit courtside and then, you know, we’ll get sometimes a little shout out at the game or some of us will go and get food,” Mrosko told Bedell. “And you always hear someone in the crowd, thank you for your service. And, you know, it’s just awesome the support we get.”

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Bedell says between the First Four and regular season games for both the Dayton Flyers at UD Arena and the Wright State Raiders at the Nutter Center, this program has donated more than 100,000 tickets since it started 11 years ago.

More information on The Big Hoopla can be found here.

WPAFB Participates in NCAA First Four Tournament Airmen from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, watch a game between the Texas Southern Tigers and North Carolina Central Eagles during the NCAA First Four Tournament at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, March 14, 2018. Airmen from Wright-Patterson AFB also presented the colors and sang the national anthem as part of the tournament’s pregame ceremonies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wesley Farnsworth) (Wesley Farnsworth/88th Air Base Wing/Public Affair)

Wright-Patt and Air Force take part in NCAA Tournament Opener Airmen from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, carry a large American flag onto the floor of University of Dayton Arena on March 16, 2022, for the opening ceremony of the First Four game in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament between Wright State and Bryant. The Air Force was also represented at the event by the Wright-Patterson Honor Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) (R.J. Oriez/88th Air Base Wing Public Affair)

Wright-Patt and Air Force take part in NCAA Tournament Opener Airmen from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, display a large American flag at midcourt in University of Dayton Arena on March 16, 2022, during the singing of the national anthem prior to a First Four game in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament between Wright State and Bryant. The Air Force was also represented that night by Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Air Force chief of staff, who administered the oath of enlistment to a group of recruits during halftime. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) (R.J. Oriez/88th Air Base Wing Public Affair)

Wright-Patt and Air Force take part in NCAA Tournament Opener Airman 1st Class Mark Buckley leads the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard as it marches off of the floor of University of Dayton Arena on March 16, 2022, after taking part in the opening ceremony for the First Four game in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament between Wright State and Bryant. The Air Force was also represented by Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Air Force chief of staff, who administered the oath of enlistment to a group of recruits during halftime. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) (R.J. Oriez/88th Air Base Wing Public Affair)

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Airmen participate in NCAA First Four Tournament Airmen from around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base prepare in the tunnel to take the floor and unfurl the American Flag during the presentation of the colors at the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s First Four basketball tournament, March 16, 2016, at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. In addition to the presentation of the flag and singing of the national anthem by military members, fans also witnessed the swearing in of 20 individuals to the Air Force under the Delayed Enlistment Program during the half-time show between Holy Cross University and Southern University. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wesley Farnsworth/Released) (Wesley Farnsworth/88th Air Base Wing)