Big Sports Events March Into Indy
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowToday begins a busy month for sports in Indianapolis. Tens of thousands of fans are expected to generate millions of dollars in economic impact at events throughout the month, beginning today with the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The March sports calendar also includes men’s basketball, swimming and diving and fencing competitions. During an interview on Inside INdiana Business Television, Indiana Sports Corp. President Ryan Vaughn also discussed a trip to New Orleans to research for a possible bid to bring NBA All-Star Weekend to Indianapolis.
Indianapolis officials also visited Toronto in 2016 for All-Star Weekend. Vaughn says, while the event is "bigger than I thought it would be," he is confident Indianapolis "can host any major event." The city is expected to make a bid to host the event in 2021, which Pacers Sports & Entertainment says would be the best fit for Indianapolis due to future convention commitments.
NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Championships will return to the IU Natatorium beginning March 15. Vaughn says the events will let the city show off more than $20 million in renovations to the venue, including enhanced interior design, a new roof and improved lighting. He says the upgrades reaffirm the Natatorium as one of the top swimming venues in the United States.
Also coming up this month are the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which haven’t been in Indianapolis since 2005, and the NCAA Men’s & Women’s Fencing Championship, which is a first-time event for the city.
The Indiana Sports Corp. says there are more than 1,200 volunteer opportunities at this month’s competitions.