As play begins in the NJCAA Division II Men’s National Basketball Tournament there will be an army of volunteers working to support it. Jeanie Cooke, Executive Director of the Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, says volunteers are eager to participate…
‘’We’ve gone to an online system. Of course you can call and we can place you in that – but it fills-up very quickly,’’ said Cooke. ‘’Volunteers have been with us for years – new volunteers fill in spots. This is probably one of the areas that is most rewarding – is how quickly people say ‘yes, I want to do that again,’ or ‘I haven’t done that before but I want to come aboard.’’’
Cooke explains some of the areas where the more than 400 volunteers are helping out this week.
‘’Well, they’re serving as hosts to the teams. They’re serving as door monitors and they’re selling tickets when the fans come in. They’re welcoming media from all across the country. They’re welcoming the four year coaches that come to scout these kids,’’ said Cooke. ‘’They’re working in the hospitality room – whether it’s helping with the food or saying ‘hello’ to the guests who are there,’’ added Cooke.
And Cooke notes there will be a lot of coaches in town from colleges and universities watching the action.
‘’Traditionally we have an average of 125. In fact I don’t remember when its been under 125.’’
The coaches sign-in as they arrive at Danville Area Community College’s Mary Miller Gymnasium….and a list of them is posted so anyone attending the games can see which colleges and universities are looking for talented ballplayers.
[In the photo, Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jeanie Cooke (on right) and Rhonda Ellis, a Marketing Specialist from Cooke’s office, prepare for the crowds. The other photo was taken during Monday evening’s welcoming banquet held in Danville. Note: You can click on the photos to enlarge them.]
Welcome to Danville and the NJCAA Division II Men’s National Basketball Tournament. Enjoy your stay…and remember to keep up with the tournament on newscasts on WDAN 1490 am, WDNL 102.1 fm and 94.9 K-Rock Radio.
All games are broadcast on WDAN 1490 am Radio and streamed on VermilionCountyFirst.com. Stories are also posted on VermilionCountyFirst.com.
Tournament website: www.dacc.edu/njcaa
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Twitter: @ NJCAA Tournament
Snapchat: Njcaanattourney
