DAYTON, OHIO, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 – In less than six months, the NCAA® Tournament will tip-off from the University of Dayton Arena for the fifteenth consecutive year. With planning for the 2015 First Four® underway, the local organizing committee announces today the official launch of the 2015 Hoopla Ticket Program; the committee’s highly successful, charitable community outreach which has garnered attention and financial support from multiple NBA players and national sponsors.
Launched by First Four Local Organizing Committee prior to the 2012 Tournament, each ticket purchased as part of the Hoopla Ticket Program is donated to a local student or Airmen stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The initiative accomplishes several key objectives as it relates to ticket utilization and produces a high-level energy unique to many early round tournament sites.
“Over the past several years, I have witnessed, first-hand the tremendous impact the Hoopla Ticket Program has on Wright-Patt; there is no better community-led program designed to showcase the young men and women from the United States Air Force,” said Retired Air Force General Lester L. Lyles. “The Dayton region continues to demonstrate national leadership and strengthen their reputation as the model for community-base relationships.”
With support from over 150 Hoopla sponsors the committee has over 10,000 tickets have been donated in the program’s history.
Tickets donated to Airmen provide unmatched visibility, recognition and appreciation for the United States Air Force and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio’s largest single-site employer. The committee and various Hoopla sponsors use the tickets as a “thank you” to military heroes serving our great country who live and contribute daily in our great communities. In fact, in July 2014 the Air Force Times ranked Wright-Patterson Air Force Base the number 1 base nationally in large part thanks to community support and donation of tickets to various sporting events.
“My wife and I were ecstatic to have the chance to attend last year’s First
Four for free,” said Airman First Class Lowe, USAF. “We are avid college basketball followers and look forward to the chance to attend next March!”
Each donated student ticket provides a one-of-a-kind experience to a child from the Dayton Region to attend an NCAA Tournament game. In many cases, the opportunity is the student’s first college basketball experience.
Most of the student tickets are distributed at the Hoopla STEM Challenge and award diligent grade school students (K-8) for their passion and dedication to STEM disciplines – science, technology, engineering and math.
“Thanks to the Hoopla sponsors, our entire family was able to attend both nights of the 2014 NCAA First Four games at UD Arena and be part of several of the community events,” said Lisa Turner, mother of Hoopla STEM Students-of-the-Year, Lydia, Larry Jr. and Lauryn. “The hard work of local organizing committee has a major impact on students and families from our community – we are just one of the thousands of families who have been positively impacted.”
Individuals and organizations interested in learning more about The Big Hoopla, the Hoopla Ticket Program and the local organizing committee should call 937-723-2046 or e-mail mfarrell@daytonhoopla.com.
About The Big Hoopla & the First Four Local Organizing Committee:
The University of Dayton appointed Local Organizing Committee is comprised of over 50 executives and community leaders from the Dayton region representing academia, small and large business, military, civic and government jurisdictions. The committee is organized to support the University of Dayton’s position as a preferred host site for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. While supporting the University, the LOC works collaboratively to drive significant, long-term economic value for the Dayton Region by leveraging the media reach of the NCAA Tournament and March Madness® in an effort to promote and advocate for the unique attributes of Dayton and Ohio.
For the latest information about the tournament action in Dayton visit daytonhoopla.com, follow us on Twitter and like Dayton Hoopla on Facebook.
2015 NCAA First Four & NCAA Tournament History at UD Arena:
The University of Dayton Arena has hosted 105 NCAA Tournament games, more than any site in America making it America’s #1 Host Site and making the Dayton region the Epicenter of College Basketball.
The 2015 NCAA Tournament will tip-off from UD Arena for the fifteenth consecutive year on Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18 with the NCAA First Four.
