Indianapolis continues to add to it’s name as the Amateur Sports Capital of the World, serving as host of the Big Ten football title game from 2012-2015 and the basketball tournament in 2012, 14 and 16.
Indianapolis is no stranger to big events—hosting Final Fours, the NFL Combine, 2004 World Swimming Championships, and the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI. Just last summer, Indianapolis was named host of the first annual football championship game, set for December 3rd. The Big Ten Conference announced Sunday that the Circle City will continue to host the game thru 2015.
Unfortunately, Indy will not be lone host for the men’s and women’s basketball tournament. The tourney will rotate between Chicago and Indianapolis from 2013-2016. Conseco Fieldhouse will take on the event in 2014, and 2016, in addition to 2012 which was already scheduled.
I have worked both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments the last three years and will do so again in 2012.
The football game makes perfect sense because Indianapolis has a new venue in Lucas Oil Stadium and is centrally located between conference schools.
The weather is always a concern in early December. At Lucas Oil Stadium, the roof will be closed because the stadium is not weather/waterproof. This is how I like it, because weather won’t play a factor and the better team should. Whereas in the Windy City, the weather can often be snowy, violent and unpredictable.
Commissioner Jim Delany said it Indianapolis was a unanimous decision for the football championship, and it was important to establish the game first, then re-evaluate.
I completely disagree with the basketball rotation. Having worked first hand with the tournament, I can’t imagine a group doing a better job. From talking with others that work, cover and attend both events, not one person believed Chicago was better.
Not only is the tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse, which is a NBA-favorite. NBA players and staff have all told me that the venue is first-class and although 11 years old, still their favorite. Conseco Fieldhouse was ranked as the No. 1 NBA venue Sports Business Journal/Sports Business Daily Reader Survey in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
The best part about Indianapolis hosting the Big Ten basketball tournament is that it COMPLETELY takes over the city. Street signs are changed to teams’ mascots, hotels are top-notch and welcoming, and the fieldhouse is unmatched.
I get that Chicago is a bigger city with more potential fans to attend the game but from everything I’ve been told, the people, setup and atmosphere are tremendously better in the Circle City.
Nonetheless, these games will provide millions of dollars to the city, but also put Indy on the national stage.
Follow Scott on twitter @ScottAgness.