DAYTON — It may be October, but the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament is top of mind in Montgomery County.
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The NCAA announced on Wednesday that the Division I men’s tournament will continue to kick off in Dayton, with the First Four’s run at University of Dayton Arena being extended through 2028.
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The sporting event is a point of pride for the University of Dayton and the Dayton community. It is one of the biggest economic drivers in the area. It brought about $5.7 million into the Dayton area last year.
“That money that those individuals who come to the games are spending in our community is very important to us,” Jacquelyn Powell, President and CEO of Destination Dayton, said. “And we want to continue to give them a great experience when they come here and make sure that they continue to find this a great place to host the First Four every year.”
While the tournament has started in the Gem City since 2001, officials have been working to add more rounds of the tournament to UD Arena. As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, bids were placed to have the first and second rounds of the tournament in Dayton.
“There’s a lot of competition for these NCAA championship games, so it makes it difficult these days for the NCAA to say, ‘Ok, we’ll give Dayton the First Four and the first and second round,’” Scott Debolt, Executive Director of UD Arena, said.
Earlier this year, News Center 7 reported about Ohio’s bipartisan congressional delegation writing the NCAA, pleading the case for Dayton to host the First Four and some first and second-round games. But the NCAA decided to go in another direction.
“We’re just proud to do a good job at what we have been doing. And yes, if other opportunities come along, we’re very excited to look at those as well,” Powell said.
Local leaders will now continue to focus on having another successful First Four for the next several years.
“This event has been so important to our community now for so many years,” she said. “And to be able to have, you know, them committed through 2028 now is really fantastic.”
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