U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) joined a bipartisan, bicameral contingent of federal Ohio lawmakers in supporting a bid by the University of Dayton to continue as host of the First Four men’s basketball games, which mark the official start to March Madness.
“We hope that you will continue to choose the University of Dayton to tip-off the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship,” wrote Rep. Turner and his colleagues in a Jan. 30 letter sent to members of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. “In choosing Dayton, you will continue a long, successful partnership with the Dayton region and provide the student-athletes, coaches and fans with an unforgettable experience.”
Among the 10 members joining Rep. Turner in signing the letter were U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), as well as U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Bob Latta (R-OH), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).
Specifically, the lawmakers said they support the University of Dayton as host of the First Four games in the years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Since opening its doors in 1969, the university has hosted 123 NCAA tournament games, and according to the Dayton Development Coalition, the First Four tournament has had a roughly $85 million economic impact on the Dayton, Ohio, region from 2001 to the present.
“The First Four games have routinely filled the University of Dayton arena to capacity and the games have attracted praise and national media attention,” wrote Rep. Turner and the Ohio contingent. “No state in the nation has fans more passionate and leaders more dedicated to making the games a success than Ohio.”
In seeking to extend this tradition, Rep. Turner and the members wrote that “the University of Dayton and community leaders remain committed to supporting the First Four through efforts that embody the spirit of the tournament and the enthusiasm of its fans.”