DAYTON - University of Dayton officials, in collaboration with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) announced submission of its formal NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament bid package. The overall bid package incorporated a variety of individual bids for each of the next several years:
2016 First Four
2016 Second/Third Rounds
2017 First Four
2017 Second/Third Rounds
2018 First Four
2018 Second/Third Rounds
"The NCAA Tournament is big fun for fans and a big economic boost for Ohio," said Governor John R. Kasich, State of Ohio. "As the home of the tip-off for the tournament for the last 15 years, Dayton has proven it has the people, experience and enthusiasm to put on a world-class effort, and I look forward to seeing it continue to play a big role in future tournaments."
"We feel strongly about our position and the opportunity to host the First Four, as well as the second and third rounds beyond 2015," said Dr. Daniel J. Curran, President of the University of Dayton. "Since the inception of the First Four and in each of the 28 years UD Arena has hosted the tournament, the Dayton Region and its fans have showcased their passion and commitment to college basketball and the NCAA Tournament."
"The Dayton community has made a very convincing case we are the EPICENTER of college basketball and America's #1 host site. This is not opinion, but backed up by years of unprecedented results and national media outlets and fans everywhere have taken notice," said JP Nauseef, Local Organizing Committee Chairman.
Strengthening the bid is the exceptional support and community participation generated by the LOC for The Big Hoopla and the Hoopla Ticket Program. Since 2012, the support from the region has led to several key accomplishments:
2012: First-ever visit by the sitting US President, British Prime Minister and Governor to a single college basketball tournament game; first-ever and inaugural First Four Festival which attracted over 15,000 to downtown Dayton.
2013: First-ever First Four sellout as part of 10-consecutive NCAA Tournament games played in front of a sellout crowd in Dayton; UD Arena surpassed 100 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament games hosted.
2014: Record levels of community support for the Hoopla Ticket Program including support from multiple NBA players; new attendance highs at each of the Hoopla community events; 23,500 fans, Airmen and students from the Dayton Region packed UD Arena over two nights; record highs for viewership and TV ratings for the First Four.
"Where we are today is a direct result of the professional and reliable operations at UD Arena and the hard work of the Local Organizing Committee," said Tim Wabler, University of Dayton Vice President and Director of Athletics. "The committee's model is efficient, self-contained and self-sustaining, working each year to produce positive outcomes for not only the NCAA and the University but for players, coaches, media and fans of all ages."
"Montgomery County is proud to be part of The Big Hoopla," said Commissioner Debbie Lieberman, Montgomery County. "Our support represents our citizens and the entire Dayton Region making the First Four and the NCAA Tournament in Dayton extremely successful. The benefits have been tremendous and we continue to support because it represents everything great about our community - Wright-Patt, students, education and collaboration."
"The work of the LOC and the CVB (Dayton Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau) continues to receive high praise from NCAA Tournament officials," said Scott DeBolt, Tournament Director, Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Director of UD Arena. "These groups are used as the gold standard for what other sites should do when it comes to community engagement, fan support, student-athlete welcoming and hotel atmosphere."
About The Big Hoopla & the Local Organizing Committee:
The University appointed Local Organizing Committee is comprised of over 50 executives and community leaders from the Dayton Region representing academia, small and large business, military, civic and government jurisdictions.
The LOC and The Big Hoopla are organized to support the University of Dayton's position as a preferred host site for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. While supporting the University, the LOC collaboratively works to drive significant, long-term economic value for the Dayton Region by leveraging the media reach of the NCAA Tournament and March Madness to promoting and advocating for the unique attributes of the region – pride and respect for the military (United States Air Force and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base), a strong sense of service, and a history of innovation and collaboration.
For the latest information about the tournament action in Dayton visit daytonhoopla.com, follow @DaytonHoopla on Twitter and like Dayton Hoopla on Facebook (facebook.com/DaytonHoopla).
Individuals and organizations interested in learning more about The Big Hoopla, the local organizing committee and supporting the Hoopla Ticket Program should e-mail mfarrell@daytonhoopla.com.
2015 NCAA First Four & NCAA Tournament History at UD Arena:
The University of Dayton Arena has hosted 105 NCAA Tournament games, more than any site in America making the Dayton Region the Epicenter of College Basketball in America.
The 2015 NCAA Tournament will tip-off from UD Arena on Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18 with the NCAA First Four. Tickets will go on-sale to the general public in mid-October.
