SLUWX Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Saw this in the Star... I think the most interesting part is at the end... apparently UMKC is looking to join the MVC. ---- KC wooing Missouri Valley Conference Sports commission is actively going after college events for KC-area venues. By BLAIR KERKHOFF The Kansas City Star Kansas City is going after the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball tournament. And the league is listening. “We’ve had discussions with Kansas City and we’re excited about the possibilities,†Missouri Valley Conference commissioner Doug Elgin said. The Valley expects to send requests for proposals to Kansas City, St. Louis and Omaha, Neb., in July. The tournament will be played in St. Louis for the 18th consecutive season in 2008 and the Valley is looking at sites for the following five years. The event has been a turnstile success story in St. Louis, attracting more than 22,000 for a session and 85,000 for the tournament — attendance records — at the Scottrade Center in March. “But we have a responsibility to our 10 schools to see what is out there through the bid process,†Elgin said. “If it’s financially beneficial to relocate we have to look at that.†Elgin didn’t specify Kansas City’s potential offer, but said “Kansas City has always taken an aggressive stance when it comes to big events.†The men’s tournament would be played at the Sprint Center, scheduled to open in October and the site for the Big 12 men’s tournament in 2008, 2010 and 2011. Also on the table: the Valley baseball tournament. League officials were impressed last month when they toured CommunityAmerica Ballpark, home of the T-Bones, in Kansas City, Kan. The tournament, played at campus sites, could move as early as 2009. “This is a top priority for us,†said Kevin Gray, president of the Kansas City Sports Commission. “Anything related to college basketball and college sports are strong strategic aspects of what we’re trying to build in the marketplace.†Ideally, Kansas City would have at least one major conference basketball tournament per year. The Missouri Valley could be in Kansas City in years the Big 12 is elsewhere. “Could it be as successful in Kansas City from an attendance standpoint?†Elgin said. “Yes, because it works well geographically.†Kansas City is a three-hour drive from four Missouri Valley schools — Wichita State, Missouri State, Creighton and Drake. “We’re in a zone in terms of our popularity,†Elgin said. “It may not be an automatic sellout like the Big 12, but we are a very big convention for a city. We’re going to put a lot of heads on beds.†Eventually, Gray said, the city’s relationship with the 10-team Missouri Valley could benefit UMKC’s quest to join the league. “But first thing’s first, and we couldn’t be more excited about having the opportunity to host an outstanding event like this,†he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiken Rich Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 My love of this town would not get in the way of longing not to hear about that freaking conference every five minutes every Feb-Mar........ Move it to Omaha or Evansville or Peoria or Witchita......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four Seventeen Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 There's no way Peoria's Carver Arena could host the MVC Basketball Tournament...maybe baseball at 5 year-old O'Brien Field, but keep the Valley at larger arenas, such as the Scottrade Center. With the Valley HQ's in St. Louis, it's the ideal place for fans of all Valley teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeseman Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 They can say what they want but KC would not be a good choice - better than Omaha but not as good as StL. He named 4 schools within 3 hours of KC but there are 7 schools that are about 3 hours from StL - ISU, EU, SIUC, Bradley, SMS, NIU, ISU. I agree with BRich that I am tired of all the hype when the MVC tourney comes around but I really don't see it moving if they plan on making a logical decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bauman Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Metz, not good with picking up on sarcasm at 4:41 a.m.? Connect the dots of all the MVC schools' locations and see what is most central, STL or KC. You got it---STL, which also happens to be the Home of the MVC which has to add to ease of hosting this event. However, our beloved A-10 Commish shows that logic doesn't always prevail in picking a tournament host city. The key factor is $$$$$$$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SluSignGuy Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Atlantic City is actually a great city for a Conference Tournament. The problem is Geography for SLU, Dayton, and Xavier. However, I look forward to it next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SShoe Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 > >However, our beloved A-10 Commish shows that logic doesn't >always prevail in picking a tournament host city. The key >factor is $$$$$$$. Let's not compare the logic of Bruno vs. Elgin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 But is there a city that wouldn't be a logistic nightmare for at least a couple teams in the A10? When the conference is so spread out, at least a few are going to be the travel losers no matter where they have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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