Tulane To Host 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Regional
Jul 6, 2006 | General
July 6, 2006
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Tulane University, in cooperation with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, has been selected as one of 12 institutions to serve as a host for the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Regional, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee announced Thursday.
The first- and second-round games, slated for March 18 (Thursday) and 20 (Saturday), will be played at the New Orleans Arena. Each first- and second-round regional site will feature eight teams all striving to advance to the Final Four, which will be played in Indianapolis, Ind. New Orleans' selection as a host site in 2010 marks the second time the city was chosen to host the NCAA Men's Basketball Regional in a four-year span, as Tulane and "The Big Easy" will host first- and second-round games for the upcoming 2006-07 season at the New Orleans Arena.
"We're very pleased with today's announcement," Tulane Director of Athletics Rick Dickson said. "The leadership of NCAA and members of sports championships committees are demonstrating their sensitivity and significant support to the community of New Orleans and its Division I institutions partnered with Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation in awarding another NCAA championship event to our city.
"Coupled with 2007 men's basketball first and second round events, today's selection has the likelihood of creating significant economic impact to our recovery. Additionally, New Orleans and its two Division institutions (Tulane and the University of New Orleans) are in the final mix for other NCAA championship host opportunities for 2008(women's basketball) and 2010, 2011 and 2012 (women's volleyball). I'm very proud of (NCAA) our membership organization with their demonstrated show of continued support."
The committee specifically identified New Orleans to host again in 2010. The championship will make its fourth appearance in the city in 10 years and the second time since the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
"Nothing more strongly illustrates our support of the area than to assure New Orleans regularly hosts rounds of the Division I Men's Basketball Championship when possible," said Craig Littlepage, Director of Athletics at the University of Virginia and chair of the Division I Men's Basketball Committee. "The committee was unanimous in its support."
The city of Dayton, Ohio, which has hosted the opening round game since its inception in 2001, will continue to be the site for the tournament's first game through 2010.
The first- and second rounds of the 2010 championship will be played in Buffalo, N.Y.; Providence, R.I.; Jacksonville, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Milwaukee, Wis.; San Jose, Calif.; and Boise, Idaho. The four regional sites are Syracuse, N.Y.; St. Louis, Mo.; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Houston, Texas, which will serve as host of the 2011 Final Four.
A total of 56 cities submitted bids for 22 available positions in 2009 and 2010; two (Indianapolis in 2009 and Houston in 2010) were pre-determined because cities host a regional the year prior to hosting a Final Four.
The selection of New Orleans as a host site for the 2010 NCAA first and second rounds marks the 10th time the city received the distinction. New Orleans hosted opening rounds in 1999 and 2001, and will host again in 2007. The city also hosted Regional Finals in 1981 and 1990, and served as the site of the Final Four in 1982, 1993 and 2003.
Opened on Oct. 29, 1999, the New Orleans Arena has served as the site of select Tulane men's and women's basketball games, the home field of the New Orleans Voodoo (Arena Football League) and New Orleans Hornets (NBA). In addition, the New Orleans Arena has hosted the 2002 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship and the 2004 NCAA Women's Final Four.
