Indianapolis – The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee has announced that the Road to the Final Four will continue to begin at the University of Dayton Arena in its next rotation of tournament sites. The fourth and fifth editions of the tournament’s “First Four” event will be held in Dayton at the Arena March 18-19, 2014 and March 17-18, 2015.
The NCAA announced all 13 preliminary rounds sites for the 2014 and 2015 tournaments. Click here for the complete NCAA release.
The University of Dayton has served as the host for the First Four since its inception in 2011. This year, the event has already been declared a sellout.
"Basketball fans and this community have embraced the First Four with such enthusiasm and support that it is fitting that these games will stay here," said Daniel J. Curran, University of Dayton president. "On behalf of the University and our community, we thank NCAA officials for recognizing that the University of Dayton Arena is simply one of the best venues for college basketball in the country. We remain committed to making the First Four an exceptional experience."
“This is great news,” J.P. Nauseef, Chair of the First Four Local Organizing Committee, said. “We are very appreciative of the NCAA’s decision in keeping the First Four in Dayton. The community’s commitment in support of college basketball is evidenced by last year’s inaugural First Four Festival, the preseason sellout of the 2013 First Four, and the University of Dayton’s track record of hosting the NCAA basketball tournament.”
“This is fantastic news, and a genuine representation of how important the support of the region is to the Basketball Committee,” UD Vice-President and Director of Athletics Tim Wabler said. “We are very proud that the NCAA has entrusted us with launching its most visible event, and one of the greatest sports spectacles in the world – the NCAA basketball tournament.”
“This also shows that when our entire community works together, we can accomplishwhatever we put out minds to. We believe strongly that this is a big win for the Dayton area, and we will do everything we can to make it a big win for the NCAA,” Nauseef added.
The University of Dayton Arena is the most-used tournament venue in NCAA history. To date, UD Arena has hosted 91 NCAA men's tournament games, eight more than the original home of the NCAA tournament, Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium. With this 2013 First Four and the 2013 Second and Third Round Games, the Arena will surpass 100 NCAA men’s tournament games hosted this March.
Tickets remain on sale for 2013 Second and Third Rounds.
