The excitement may be on the court, but enthusiasm is high in an army of volunteers helping this week at the NJCAA Division II Men’s National Basketball Tournament in Danville. Jeanie Cooke, Director of the Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, says it would be impossible to hold the tournament here without their support, and the support of local sponsors. She says there are about 400 volunteers helping with the games. (Cooke is shown in the photo at this week’s opening NJCAA banquet.)
And how does Cooke feel about the fact that Danville has been able to host the National Tournament for 24 years?
‘’Grateful and excited for this year,’’ replied Cooke. ‘’It’s special because when you go in for bid, and you are so concerned – are they going to be able to keep it? And then when you can there’s a huge feeling of thankfulness because this tournament is very special to this community.’’
Cooke says the volunteers help in a variety of ways before and during the tournament.
‘’They help in the hospitality room. They take tickets at the gate. They help in the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) room. There’s just any number of different things – and it’s all volunteer! So your bench is all volunteers. Your PA announcers are all volunteers. Your scorekeepers are volunteers. So there really is a volunteer army running the tournament,’’ says Cooke.
And as play continues in the tournament, Cooke is encouraging area residents to show their appreciation for what the tournament does for the community by attending some games.
‘’It’s very important. Anyone who likes basketball or has been in a basketball gym – the basketball is better, the kids have more fun when they’re surrounded by noise and cheers. It’s part of the basketball experience, so yes, we definitely need people to come out and support these teams who have worked so hard to get here,’’ added Cooke.
There are five games on tap Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017. Games are scheduled at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Others are at 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. All of the games are played in the Mary Miller Gymnasium on the campus of Danville Area Community College.
