Dayton Flyers

CHICAGO – The University of Dayton won the ”Best Under-the-Radar College Basketball Atmosphere" presented by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Intersport.

Dayton beat nine other unique, tradition-rich game-day atmospheres through a two-week Facebook (Facebook.com/BestofCollegeBasketball) voting competition.

The University of Dayton, the “Red Scare” student spirit group and all Flyer fans came out in full-force to push Dayton to the top, which earned them an in-depth feature on what makes the UD Arena atmosphere so special during the “GEICO Best of College Basketball” special, which airs March 25, at 1 p.m. ET on CBS Sports.
 
In addition to featuring Dayton as the “Best Under-the-Radar College Basketball Atmosphere,” “GEICO Best of College Basketball” will relive the season’s greatest moments, players and coaches, as well as uncover the top plays of the year as voted on by fans at Facebook.com/BestofCollegeBasketball.

“We’re very excited and proud that the University of Dayton Arena and the Flyer Faithful have been recognized again,” UD Vice-President and Director of Athletics Tim Wabler said. “It might be a stretch to truly consider the building that has hosted the most NCAA men’s basketball tournament games and a fan base that is always in the top 35 in the country ‘under the radar,’ but one thing is clear – we have some of the best fans in the country and their passion and support is what brings the NCAA back time after time to UD Arena.” 

The home game against Charlotte will be the 200th consecutive regular season game that has drawn at least 11,000 fans. During the last 15 years, 99 percent (438-of-441) of UD’s home games have had at least 10,000 fans in attendance. The Flyers have led the Atlantic 10 Conference in average attendance for 14 straight years and averaged more than 2,400 fans a game better than any other team in the A-10.
 
The “Road to the Final Four” will begin in Dayton for the 12th straight year when the NCAA Tournament’s ‘First Four’ will be played at the University of Dayton Arena March 13-14. 

Taylor University landed in second place for showcasing their incredible “Silent Night” game and the Utah State Aggies finished third. The seven other schools competing were: John Brown, Missouri State, New Mexico, North Carolina A&T, Northern Iowa, San Diego State, and Western Kentucky.