Nationwide Arena in '19 will host first and second round games of the men's NCAA Tournament UConn
Hosting the women's Final Four is a "big win" for Columbus, as this weekend's games at Nationwide Arena will serve as a "multi-day audition for even more big amateur sporting events," according to a front-page piece by Marla Rose of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. The Greater Columbus Sports Commission has been working toward this weekend since '14, when it "received the nod to host the Final Four." The commission's "ultimate goal" is to "create an infrastructure that supports efforts to attract more events, including high-profile ones such as the U.S. Figure Skating National Championships and the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games" of the men's NCAA Tournament. Landing a Sweet 16/Elite 8 opportunity would "provide the kind of media attention and recognition that Columbus craves as it continues to battle a lack of national awareness." The commission "already has an impressive slate of events coming up," including MiLB's Triple-A All-Star Game and USA Gymnastics' U.S. Classic this year. In '19, Columbus will host the men's NCAA Tournament first and second rounds, the D-II women's basketball championship, the USA Powerlifting collegiate nationals and the USA Fencing national championships. Ohio State Univ. is a "major asset" in Columbus landing amateur sporting events. OSU's "scope, involvement and proximity" to downtown Columbus have been "big selling points" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 3/29).
ENJOY THE HOOPLA: In San Antonio, Jim Kiest noted local music fans can see bands Imagine Dragons and Maroon 5 and singer Jason Aldean "all for free this weekend as part of the March Madness Music Festival" at Hemisfair Park in downtown. The three-day event also features "interactive activities, including a Ferris wheel, food and drink." NCAA and local organizers "want residents of the host city to join in the festivities." Though the festival is free, the fenced-in Hemisfair site "may at times reach maximum capacity." Organizers "expect attendance to ebb and flow, so when people leave the festival grounds, others will be admitted." This weekend's festivities also "include the Final Four Fan Fest at the Convention Center and Reese's Final Four Friday at the Alamodome" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 3/29).
