In DC, Thomas Heath examines the changes made at MCI
Center in preparation for the men's NCAA East Regional games
which begin tomorrow. No beer will be served and all DC
Lottery machines and signs will be covered "to prevent
reference to gambling." Ads for tobacco and alcoholic
beverages will also be covered, and the lights on some
corporate signs inside the arena bowl will be turned off,
"so non-NCAA sponsors can't piggyback on the games." The
usual basketball court was replaced with the old Bullets
court from USAir Arena, and was repainted with the name of
site host George Mason as well as the NCAA, MCI and city of
Washington names. Heath adds that since the NCAA allows
only its championship merchandise to be sold at tournament
events, patrons will not be allowed to enter the Modell's
Sporting Goods store at MCI Center through the first floor
concourse (Thomas Heath, WASHINGTON POST, 3/11).
SLEEPING ROOM ONLY: In San Antonio, Travis Poling
reports that in response to the NCAA Final Four Weekend,
March 28-30, area hotels "from downtown to the edge of the
city ... are sending callers to lodging as far away as
Kerrville and Austin." Poling adds that "leftover downtown
rooms are going for $200 a night and up"(EXPRESS-NEWS,3/11).
