Ohio State to serve as host of 2004 NCAA Men’s Basketball 1st and 2nd Rounds – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 7, 2000
COLUMBUS, Ohio-The Ohio State Department of Athletics, along with Nationwide Arena and the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been selected to host the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds, the NCAA announced today.
Ohio State will serve as the host institution for the 2004 Midwest Region early round contests. The games will be played at Nationwide Arena March 19 and 21, 2004.
Andy Geiger, Ohio State director of athletics, looks forward to hosting one of the most recognizable annual sporting events in the country.
“We are absolutely thrilled that the NCAA has selected The Ohio State University, Nationwide Arena and Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau partnership to host the NCAA First and Second rounds of the men’s basketball tournament,” Geiger said. “We look forward to working with the entire Columbus community and hosting teams and fans from throughout the nation.”
Richelle Simonson, Ohio State associate athletics director for ticketing and event management, said Ohio State has a rare and exciting opportunity to be part of the popular NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
“We are thrilled to be in a partnership with Nationwide Arena and the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau as hosts for these games,” Simonson said. “Ohio State is making continuous efforts to host as many NCAA Championships as possible. We have remarkable facilities on our campus and within the City of Columbus to host championships of this caliber.”
Ohio State already is scheduled to host the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships April 5-7, 2001, the NCAA College Cup final four for Division I men’s soccer in December 2001, the NCAA men’s Golf Championships in June 2002, and the NCAA Frozen Four for men’s ice hockey in April 2005.
“This is terrific news for our city and further proof of the power of partnerships,” said Linda Logan, sports marketing manager for the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The Bureau, Ohio State and Nationwide Arena worked hard to put together a winning bid.” Jay Cooper, General Manager of Nationwide Arena, said his staff looks forward to the event as well.
“On behalf of Nationwide Arena, we are very excited and honored to be selected as the host arena for such a prestigious and high-profile event,” Cooper said. “In cooperation with The Ohio State University and the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, we look forward to the opportunity to showcase Nationwide Arena as we welcome NCAA basketball teams and fans from across the country.”
Doug MacLean, Columbus Blue Jackets president and general manager, likes the idea of working with Ohio State on this venture.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets and our building, Nationwide Arena, are absolutely thrilled to host this event with The Ohio State University as a partner.”
For more information please contact:
Brent LaLonde, Media Relations Director for the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau (222-6104)
Karen Davis, Public Relations Manager for Nationwide Arena (246-4310) Richelle Simonson, Ohio State associate athletics director for ticketing and event management (292-4792)
