(This story by Bill Pickett)
Some light rain and snow greeted players and fans for the opening day of the NJCAA Division II Men’s National Basketball Tournament in Danville. But organizers were happy to see play get underway.
Jeanie Cooke, Director of the Danville Area Visitors Bureau, says tournament plans were modified this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic…..
{AUDIO: ‘’It was very different, but once the tournament starts, the feel is there – the community is so excited and upbeat. Our restaurants are happy, our hotels are happy. The games are being broadcast on Comcast channel 5, so our fans are getting to watch – that may not have been able to because of our limit on a number of people,’’ said Cooke.}
Cooke notes local businesses place a lot of support behind the tournament….
Audio Player{Audio: ‘’We couldn’t do it without our local businesses. So many of them have been very helpful. We didn’t need as much help this year because of the limits and number of people whose allowed in the hospitality room,’’ added Cooke. ‘’But again, with good planning it’s worked out well. Everyone is in for next year. We’re already working on that. And we’re hopeful that next year everyone in the world can come and watch basketball.’’}
Cooke adds the National Tournament brings a lot to the community….
Audio Player{AUDIO: ‘’It lifts the morale in the community. Something’s coming back to normal. This is our tournament,’’ said Cooke. “It’s been here 27 years (and) it’s coming back. So it lifts the whole community, and I think gives people hope that someday we’re going to be back to normal.’’}
The games continue through Saturday (April 24, 2021) in the Mary Miller Gymnasium at Danville Area Community College. All games are being broadcast on WDAN 1490 am Radio. And games are also being shown on Comcast/Xfinity Channel 5.
More information on the tournament can be found at www.danvillejaguars.com/njcaa.
