Des Moines submits bid for NCAA Tournament

I don't think it's a long shot at all. The NCAA has seen how smaller mid west cities like Des Moines and Omaha embrace college sporting events and are now rewarding those cities with bids. Meanwhile cities like Denver have the Pepsi center a quarter full, I think Des Moines is a viable option for this if they bring a good presentation.
 
InGoodCo said:
I don't think it's a long shot at all. The NCAA has seen how smaller mid west cities like Des Moines and Omaha embrace college sporting events and are now rewarding those cities with bids. Meanwhile cities like Denver have the Pepsi center a quarter full, I think Des Moines is a viable option for this if they bring a good presentation.
Click to expand...

Yes, there has always been this talk that the Well doesnt have enough seats for the NCAAs but if you look the last few years on TV many of the first and second round games arent selling 16,000.

I say pack the Well and fans around here will be loud.
 
HawkWT said:
They need to get the hotel/convention center up fast.
Click to expand...

The hotel should be funded in September, ground breaking May 2015 with a January 2017 completion.

My money is on a 2018 bid. Decisions will be announced in November.
 
I will be offering dorm style accommodations on two floors and the basement, priced competitively with the Marriott. Tent space under the trees will be reasonably priced. Water will be free. Bathroom facilities will be shared and timed.....

Within blocks are a Hy-Vee, Dahls, Walgreens, Burger King, McDonalds, Tasty Taco, and a Radio Shack.....

This will make deluxe accommodations available for rabid BBall fanatics.....

On a side note, just a minor inconvenience: The Weather, those who prefer tent space should bring a goose down sleeping bag and hand warmers.....

Welcome to Big D, the vacation Mecca of the Midwest....

:cool:
 
Big D, of course will have free shelter as a reward for choosing our wonderful Metropolis as a screen name.....

:cool:
 
jacknicholson said:
I will be offering dorm style accommodations on two floors and the basement, priced competitively with the Marriott. Tent space under the trees will be reasonably priced. Water will be free. Bathroom facilities will be shared and timed.....

Within blocks are a Hy-Vee, Dahls, Walgreens, Burger King, McDonalds, Tasty Taco, and a Radio Shack.....

This will make deluxe accommodations available for rabid BBall fanatics.....

On a side note, just a minor inconvenience: The Weather, those who prefer tent space should bring a goose down sleeping bag and hand warmers.....

Welcome to Big D, the vacation Mecca of the Midwest....

:cool:
Click to expand...

You may want to ship some Ames water in and advertise that. I think it would be a main selling point.
 
I was thinking the same about attendance which is poor in opening rounds at many sites....

I think one of the hang-ups had been hotel availability
 
This WILL happen ... but maybe not until 2018. The new hotel complex is sill going to take about 3 years to complete. That being said, there will be plenty of fan interest and there are still plenty of hotels in the downtown area. It won' be like the NCAA wrestling tournament where the arena is packed and 3/4 of the attendees are from out of town If we are an earlier round site, we have plenty of hotels to accommodate the fans who do come to Des Moines. Des Moines will eventually host tournament games ... it may just take a couple of years ... I say 2018 may be the best shot ...
 
jacknicholson said:
Big D, of course will have free shelter as a reward for choosing our wonderful Metropolis as a screen name.....

:cool:
Click to expand...

His name is based on the capital city. I always assumed he was DJ Big D from upstairs at the Airliner.

Talk about your all time let downs.
 
H8IAST8 said:
The hotel should be funded in September, ground breaking May 2015 with a January 2017 completion.

My money is on a 2018 bid. Decisions will be announced in November.
Click to expand...

I haven't lived in Des Moines for 17 years--anywhere I can find more information on this project?
 
Is the litmus test a women's regional in Des Moines not Ames? The comparison is Omaha what do they have that Des Moines doesn't?
 
trj said:
Is the litmus test a women's regional in Des Moines not Ames? The comparison is Omaha what do they have that Des Moines doesn't?
Click to expand...

A 600 room attached convention hotel and an arena that can seat 18,500+.
 
deanvogs said:
Des Moines downtown has really improved over the last several years. It was even called the most up and coming downtown in the country by Fortune: http://fortune.com/video/2014/07/10/5-cities-with-up-and-coming-downtowns/
I could see the NCAA's being a huge success in Des Moines. Iowan's would show up in droves for games for NCAA tourney games.
Click to expand...

Downtown DM has vastly improved over the years, becoming a vibrant energetic area, especially on the East Side, rivaling Omaha's Old Market Area, not quite so picturesque, though.....

NYT reporters commented on the change in downtown Des Moines during the last caucus.....

Also, as has been mentioned, it is not unusual to see empty seats in arenas during the first round. I don't see that as a problem in Des Moines.....

:rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top