• Loading stock data...
Thursday, November 7, 2024
DEADLINE EXTENDED: The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open through Nov. 13 Learn More

Why Men’s March Madness Always Begins in Dayton

  • “The Epicenter of College Basketball” has hosted the most men’s tournament games in NCAA history.
  • With the exception of 2021, it’s hosted every First Four since its inception in 2011.
A view of the outside of University of Dayton Arena at night.
University of Dayton

Every year, one of the biggest events of the sports calendar tips off from a small city in southwest Ohio with a population less than 140,000 — at an arena that has hosted more men’s March Madness games than any other venue in NCAA history.

Given the magnitude of men’s March Madness, it seems curious, if not random — but a deeper look at Dayton reveals that it’s thoroughly earned the nickname “The Epicenter of College Basketball.”

Dayton’s First Four saga began in 2001, when the school hosted its first-ever play-in game after winning a bid from the NCAA. After considering other candidates, the NCAA “guessed right” by putting its first-ever play-in games in Dayton, as college basketball analyst Andy Katz wrote at the time.

“These fans are hoop junkies, even if the Flyers aren’t on the floor,” said Katz. “There were 6,800 fans in the arena, the majority non-partisan, and they didn’t seem to mind that these weren’t nationally recognizable names.”

The NCAA keeps coming back to Dayton namely because of that passion and excitement of an underdog story that defines this time of year — something the city of Dayton embodies so incredibly well. The local community was so bullish on keeping the First Four in their backyard that even federal lawmakers wrote a letter to the NCAA in 2020 to advocate for a contract extension.

With the exception of 2021 — when the entire competition was staged in Indiana due to COVID-19 concerns — Dayton has hosted the First Four every year since its inception in 2011, when the men’s field was expanded to 68 teams. The current contract runs until 2026.

A general view of the March Madness logo before game

March Madness Starts With a TV Show. There’s Nothing Else Like It..

March Madness commences when fates are decided live in front of millions.
March 12, 2023

University of Dayton Arena is hosting its 130th men’s tournament game when Southeast Missouri State and Texas A&M CC tip off Tuesday night, will have hosted 133 after Wednesday, and is on track to host 145 by the end of its current deal.

With no major professional teams and just a handful of low minor league and semi-pro teams, the citizens of Dayton focus most of their time and attention on the NCAA’s Wright State Raiders — and, of course, the University of Dayton Flyers.

“We don’t get a lot of people from outside Dayton that get to the [First Four] games, because they don’t even know who’s going to be playing here until Sunday night,” former UD director of athletics Tim Wabler said in 2014. “The people who are there in the stands primarily are from the community.”

But the local faithful had something to truly support in 2015 when Dayton played in its first and only First Four. The Flyers narrowly defeated Boise State in an “electric” atmosphere, as a UD alum who worked the tournament described it to FOS.

That atmosphere has attracted some of the world’s biggest names — such as sitting U.S. president Barack Obama and sitting British prime minister David Cameron in 2012.

U.S. president Barack Obama and British prime minister David Cameron in 2012. Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

The Launchpad

Beyond the start of March Madness, the UD Arena court is the start of Cinderella stories — and where otherwise overlooked schools get key exposure.

In 2011, the field expanded to 68 teams and established the First Four. That year, Virginia Commonwealth University rose from obscurity to become only the third 11-seed in tournament history to play in the Final Four, beating the likes of Georgetown, Purdue, and Kansas along the way.

In 2015, UD went on to win its First Round game, continuing a trend of a First Four team winning at least one more game in every tournament (except in 2019).

While Dayton’s launchpad typically helps lower-seeded teams build momentum, it also serves as valuable experience for the tournament’s 16-seeds.

For many of these schools, this is their first and only NCAA tournament game, creating valuable free advertising for these smaller teams — and bragging rights if they’re able to win an NCAA tournament game.

FOS reporter Amanda Christovich contributed to this story.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

TNT Sports Fuels WBD’s Surge As Max Hits 110.5M Subscribers

The TNT Sports parent company saw its stock price rise early Thursday.

NBA TV Ratings Continue Trending Down to Open Season

The league has dealt with injuries to stars like Joel Embiid.

CFP’s 12-Team Debut: How NIL, Realignment Shape the Bracket

Miami is ranked No. 4 as aggressive NIL spending has no doubt helped the Hurricanes to their 9–0 start.
Surrounded by family members and supporters, Donald Trump makes his acceptance speech at his Election Night Watch Party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center after being elected the 47th President of the United States November 5, 2024.

Republicans Won Big in the 2024 Election. So Did the NCAA

“It’s a bad day to be a college athlete,” one staffer says.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Is Trump Recruiting Sports Figures for Future Cabinet?

0:00

Featured Today

NFL Center Connor McGovern Is the Heir to a Potato Empire

The NFL vet’s family provides potatoes for McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and others.
Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion
November 2, 2024

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
November 1, 2024

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Florida football coach Billy Napier

Florida Gives Billy Napier Vote of Confidence With Huge Buyout Looming

Napier’s $26 million buyout would be second largest in college football history.
November 4, 2024

New Era, New Chaos? New CFP Team Rankings Explained

The new College Football Playoff system’s complexities might confuse some college football fans.
Mar 24, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Cotie McMahon (32) walks to the bench during the first half of the women’s NCAA Tournament second round against the Duke Blue Devils at Value City Arena.
November 5, 2024

Due to Rule Change, NCAA Sports Will Be in Action on Election..

On Nov. 5 this year, NCAA sports will not go dark.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Oct 4, 2024; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) is introduced to the fans during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
November 4, 2024

All Eyes on Cooper Flagg As College Basketball Tips Off

He makes his NCAA debut with Duke on Monday.
Apr 1, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) drives to the basket during the second half against UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) in the finals of the Portland Regional of the NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center.
November 4, 2024

Women’s College Basketball Begins Its Star-Studded Post–Caitlin Clark Era

Women outdrew the men in the championship with 18.9 million viewers.
Donald Trump
November 4, 2024

ESPN Will Drop First 12-Team CFP Rankings in Heart of Election Night

The network traditionally hasn’t shied away from going up against election coverage.
Eastern New Mexico forward Jose Murillo (33) passes the ball between Grand Canyon University forward Sammie Yeanay (23) and guard Makaih Williams (2) during an exhibition game at Global Credit Union Arena in Phoenix on Oct. 29, 2024.
November 1, 2024

Grand Canyon University to Join Mountain West in 2026

The Mountain West has added three new schools after the Pac-12 poached five from the conference.