DAYTON, OHIO – The NCAA First Four® pumped $4.6 million in economic impact to the Dayton region this year, the biggest direct impact in a First Four only tournament year.
Recent figures from the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau show the tip-off of March Madness® in 2015 generated more than it has in recent years. The economic impact numbers include direct dollars spent at places such as hotels, restaurants and retail outlets.
“The Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau is very proud to support the NCAA First Four and recognizes the important economic impact and national exposure this event brings to our community,” noted Jacquie Powell, Dayton Convention and Visitor’s Bureau President & CEO.
“The impact of the NCAA First Four continues to increase in ways beyond what we could have imagined thanks to the support of the local organizing committee, its leadership and its sponsors,” said Tim Wabler, University of Dayton Vice President & Director of Athletics. “They continue to exceed our expectations and those of the NCAA.”
Since 2001, the NCAA Tournament has delivered over $66 million in direct impact the surrounding communities and March Madness offers a global platform, unmatched media reach, record national TV audiences, association with the global brand of the NCAA, and an flood of dollars.
“The committee is grateful to have the opportunity to support such a great basketball tradition and to expand our impact in our community and around the country,” said JP Nauseef, The Big Hoopla NCAA First Four Local Organizing Committee Chairman. “The fans, sponsors, volunteers, and servicemen at Wright-Patt – what’s not to like about that?”
In the months and weeks leading up to March Madness, the Dayton region saw countless headline articles from top-tier national media outlets including ESPN and CBS. During the first week of the tournament, the Dayton region’s long-standing tradition and support of March Madness was featured in a front-page article in USA Today’s print edition.
“Although the $4.6 million impact provides fuel to our local economy, the long-term value of having our region become synonymous with the NCAA First Four and March Madness will pay dividends for years to come,” said Jeff Hoagland, Dayton Development Coalition President & CEO. “The indirect impact is exponentially higher and, in many ways, more important as it provides a platform to promote the countless attributes that make the Dayton region attractive for job creation and overall quality of life.”
The Dayton region is home to America’s most passionate college basketball fans and the community has embraced the First Four since its inception in 2011, as well as the opening round game, dating back to 2001. March Madness has drawn capacity crowds at UD Arena in each of the last three years including multiple First Four games being played in front of sold out crowds.
“The work of The Big Hoopla aligns very nicely with the University’s mission and values. In particular, to enhance the University’s profile and footprint globally while remaining committed and rooted to the Dayton region,” said Dr. Daniel J Curran, University of Dayton President.
Support for The Big Hoopla has grown in each of the last three years with more than 200 local companies and organizations providing cash and in-kind support since 2012. Individuals and organizations interested in learning more about The Big Hoopla and the NCAA First Four should call 937-723-2046 or e-mail info@daytonhoopla.com.
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About The Big Hoopla First Four Local Organizing Committee:
The University of Dayton 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 committee is 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 Committee works collaboratively to drive significant, long-term economic value for the Dayton region by leveraging the media reach of the NCAA Tournament and March Madness® in an effort to promote and advocate for the unique attributes of the community and the State of Ohio.
For information about tournament action in the Dayton region visit daytonhoopla.com.
2016 NCAA First Four & NCAA Tournament History at UD Arena:
The NCAA First Four is the tip-off of March Madness and will be hosted at UD Arena through 2018. The University of Dayton Arena has hosted 109 NCAA Tournament games, more than any site making it America’s #1 Host Site and making the Dayton region the Epicenter of College Basketball.
The 2016 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament and March Madness will tip-off from UD Arena for the sixteenth consecutive year on Tuesday, March 15 and Wednesday, March 16 with the NCAA First Four.
