The D-2 tournament brings a lot of people to Springfield and injects millions of dollars into the city. For weeks, officials have been kept waiting, but the decision was finally announced. Springfield will continue to host the Elite 8 Tournament for the next two years.

The NCAA shopped around, but ultimately chose Springfield to host two more years of thrilling D-2 championship basketball.
“This is a first class venue and will continue to be a first class venue,” says Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. After weeks of waiting, we’ve learned Springfield wasn’t the first choice. A town in Northern Kentucky backed out, so the NCAA went to it’s tried and true city, Springfield.

“It just took a long, long, time and clearly, there’s frustration about that but in the end, certainly they renewed in the city where it belongs. Everybody acknowledges that, from the NCAA, to the committee side to the city side. So good things are worth waiting for,” says Basketball Hall of Fame president John Doleva. And with record shattering attendance, to officials, the decision is a no-brainer.

“The last time it was out of Springfield in Grand Forks, ND, they had 4900 people for the entire week. We had 17,400,” Doleva says. But building the hype may be a tough task for the local committee. Since the decision was delayed, the window for state funds closed a long time ago. But officials are optimistic the NCAA will now contribute.

“This is on CBS TV, on championship Saturday and that is broadcast all around the world, so Springfield, the Mass Mutual Center, are seen all around the country for some great basketball,” Doleva says.

City officials would like the tournament to stay in Springfield, but it appears as of now, the city will need to apply after the contract expires.

–Courtesy WSHM-TV