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'No Ticket, No Problem,' Theme of Activities and Entertainment for Fan-Friendly 2009 NCAA(R) Men's Final Four(R)

Posted on: Monday, 9 February 2009, 10:00 CST

DETROIT, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The NCAA(R), the University of Detroit Mercy, Ford Field and the Detroit Local Organizing Committee (DLOC), announced plans today for a wide-ranging roster of major Final Four(R) fan entertainment and community events produced by the NCAA(R) and its Corporate Partners and the DLOC.

Among the exciting and fan-friendly events will include the three-day Big Dance(R) that will rock the Detroit riverfront April 3-5 with outdoor concerts including the AT&T Block Party(R) on Friday, April 3, Big Dance Saturday(R) on Saturday, April 4 and My Coke Fest(R) on Sunday, April 5. Performances will showcase nationally known recording artists and a second stage for local bands. Hoop City(R) Refreshed by Coca-Cola, will offer four days of interactive basketball-themed family activities April 3-6 at Cobo Center, and Final Four Friday(R) on April 3 will offer an opportunity to see the Final Four teams practice at Ford Field. Additionally, the Road to the Final Four(R) 5K run/walk takes place throughout the streets of downtown Detroit on April 5.

"The NCAA's Men's Final Four is a celebration for student-athletes spanning several days and ending with the basketball championship," said Greg Shaheen, the NCAA's senior vice president for basketball and business strategies. "It is the largest basketball event in the world and the city of Detroit will welcome fans and media from around the country, while showcasing its venues and once again demonstrating its ability to successfully host world class sporting events. The entire Detroit metro community will be able to participate in the Final Four, regardless if they have tickets to the games."

A range of community events from more than 4,000 local youth dribbling basketballs from Ford Field to Hoop City to Final Four-themed classroom instruction for local middle school students will blend with free sport and life skill instruction clinics. Also an outreach program for local schools with a variety of public screenings of a basketball documentary encouraging discussion on diversity and race relations will be offered. Other local activities such as a food recovery program to support the homeless and other programs and events will be announced periodically leading to the Final Four.

"As host NCAA institution for the 2009 NCAA Men's Final Four, the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) has been working closely with the Detroit Local Organizing Committee and the local business and civic community for more than 18 months to make this the best Final Four in NCAA history and to provide an exciting array of fun for locals and visitors and to also leave a positive Final Four legacy for Detroit," said Keri Gaither, UDM athletic director and DLOC chair.

In addition to the various community and entertainment events, Detroit will be the NCAA basketball media center for four days with approximately 1,500 credentialed members of the media in town to cover the Final Four.

"We expect that the 2009 NCAA Men's Final Four will create a new economic model for the NCAA when we set an attendance record of more than 70,000 fans in the fantastic setting of Ford Field in downtown Detroit," said Bill Ryan, DLOC executive director.

In addition to community activities and entertainment, visiting Final Four fans and media members will be welcomed Detroit-style as part of a hospitality initiative developed specifically for the Final Four. Plans will be announced soon, but it is expected that welcome signs will greet Final Four fans at hotels, restaurants, and local attractions who will roll out the red carpet.

"We're very enthused about the upcoming Final Four and the opportunity that our 800-plus hospitality members now have to demonstrate Metro Detroit's capability to host marquee events," said Larry Alexander, president and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Our track record over the past several years has shown that Detroit is the right place to host the Final Four and we're thrilled that the NCAA event gives so much back into our local economy."

About the NCAA (R)

The NCAA(R) is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 400,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit www.ncaa.org and www.ncaa.com for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes. The NCAA is proud to have the following elite companies as official Corporate Champions -- AT&T, Coca-Cola and Pontiac -- and the following elite companies as official Corporate Partners -- Enterprise, The Hartford, Hershey's, Lowe's, Sheraton and State Farm.

About the 2009 NCAA(R) Men's Basketball Championship

The 2009 NCAA(R) Men's Basketball Championship will take place at Ford Field in Detroit from April 4-6. The tournament brings together the semifinalists of the single elimination tournament of the top 65 NCAA(R) Division I Men's Basketball teams in the country. The event is expected to create an economic impact of $30 million to $50 million and attract more than 30,000 visitors to Detroit. For information, visit www.ncaa.com/finalfour or call the Detroit Local Organizing committee at 313-262-2900.

NCAA and Final Four are trademarks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association

Contacts: Kurt Kosmowski/The Kosmowski Group Eric Younan/Marx Layne 248.345.4360 248.855.6777 kurt@thekosmowskigroup.com eyounan@marxlayne.com

SOURCE Detroit Local Organizing Committee (DLOC)

Source: PR Newswire

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