U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) and his Ohio colleagues in both houses of Congress voiced support for the University of Dayton’s application to continue hosting the First Four games of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament and the university’s application to host the first and second rounds in 2027 and 2028.
“For more than 20 years, March Madness has had its tip-off in Dayton, Ohio. During this time, Dayton has hosted the First Four or play-in games of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament,” wrote Rep. Turner and his colleagues in a Feb. 7 letter sent to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. “As members of Ohio’s congressional delegation, we offer our strong support of the University of Dayton’s application to continue that tradition.”
Rep. Turner joined U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and J.D. Vance (R-OH) and U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) in signing the letter, which pointed out that the University of Dayton has hosted the First Four games played at the historic University of Dayton Arena (UD Arena) every year since the tournament expanded in 2001, except during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The arena is home to the Dayton Flyers basketball teams, whose men’s team was ranked 21st nationally in average attendance last season, despite playing in a mid-major conference,” the lawmakers wrote. “That passion carries over to the First Four, with UD Arena welcoming almost 25,000 fans over just two nights last year.”
In addition, Dayton is an ideal location to host these games, they wrote, with three international airports within a hundred miles and its proximity to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, with which the university has a strong community partner committee to help lead a series of events and exhibits surrounding the games.
“We urge the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee to continue the tradition of beginning the tournament in Dayton and select the University of Dayton to host first and second round games in 2027 and 2028,” wrote Rep. Turner and his colleagues.