GR closer to hosting some March Madness

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A group from the NCAA toured Van Andel Arena and the rest of the city Friday to check out Grand Rapids as a possible host for NCAA basketball tournament games.

The West Michigan Sports Commission is working with Michigan State University to try to land the "First Four" in either 2014 or 2015.   

This is the second time Grand Rapids has tried to land those games. The last time was for a 2011, 2012 or 2013 tournament, and the city paired that time with Western Michigan University.

West Michigan Sports Commission executive director Mike Guswiler said the fact that the city is bidding for a second time shows continued interest and can only be a plus.   

NCAA reps made sure to check out the facilities at Van Andel Arena for the teams, press and ticketholders.

“You have to have the venue that can accommodate that specific tournament and the NCAA knows what they want, and so [the arena] was at the top of the list and that was where we spent most of the time,” said West Michigan Sports Commission executive director Mike Guswiler.  

A big difference this bid is that the NCAA has lowered its mandatory number of paid seats arenas needs to hold -- dropping it from 12,00 to 10,000. That's an easier number for the Van Andel Arena to meet.

“We’re competing against like-sized markets, like-sized venues, probably some venues that may have more seats,” said Guswiler. “But really the seats that would be sold or required and needed we fit right in there.”  

The mere fact that an NCAA rep showed up to tour the city means the city has already gotten farther than in previous bids.   

"Our city doesn't show itself until you can really bring people here and show them first-hand," he explained. "To try and sell them on paper is a little more difficult."

Guswiler said the fact that the tour happened during ArtPrize was a big plus.  

"The visit was great you can't ask for a better time. You have sunshine and it's ArtPrize right now, so the city's buzzing. So the city is really showcasing quite well,” said Guswiler. "In terms of this, "First Four" is first round, I think we surpass other competing cities."

Guswiler said he didn’t know the full list of cities competing for the tournament, but did say Dayton, Ohio is on that list.  

It's also a plus, 24 Hour News 8 was told, that the arena is in a downtown setting with restaurants and nightlife.   

"That was pointed out by the NCAA rep," said Guswiler. "They have been to some cities where it's been a little bit more challenging, where they haven't had really what we offer and what we show them here. So I think that that's an advantage."

The fact that Michigan State is supporting the bid this time around is a definite upside, too.   

“[Michigan State University] is very well-known and respected in the basketball community. Mark Hollis, the AD for Michigan State, is in the basketball committee, so hopefully we have one vote there. So all things kind of lined up a little better this bid round," said Guswiler.

The commission admits getting the city into the national spotlight is easier since big events like ArtPrize have already drawn focus to the city.   
"I've got to give my appropriate credit to ArtPrize and the work they've done, and to Experience GR and the work they've done in really bringing us to the national spotlight," said Guswiler. "This will add another notch on that national resume for us."

The NCAA basketball committee will meet in November and hopefully we'll know if Grand Rapids has won the first round by the end of the year.