This year’s NJCAA Division II Men’s National Basketball Tournament ended Saturday night with Des Moines Area Community College claiming the championship. But plans are already underway for Danville Area Community College to host the games again next year.
Chris DePew, NJCAA Division II Basketball Chairman, spent the week in Danville watching the action, and says he was very impressed with what he saw…
{AUDIO: ‘’It’s been great. I mean the folks here at Danville go way above and beyond. – Like I said, I had the opportunity to host about ten National Championships at the Division III level. So it’s great to come out here and see it from perspective, and how the next level up handles it. And I just can’t get over the amount of support and dedication of the folks that are here – sitting in the gym with us all hours of the day. And (they’re) right there whenever there needs to be something handled,’’ said DePew. ‘’It’s just great people. It’s been a great experience for me. I’ve learned a tremendous amount about ways we could have done our tournament even a little bit better. And I’m really excited about how everything’s going.’’}
DePew says there is a meeting coming-up in a few weeks where there is going to be a discussion regarding the overall concept of national tournaments…
{AUDIO: ‘’It’s initiated out of the Division II Women’s Committee where they want to take a look at the funding structure that everyone’s struggling with now due to COVID. And maybe have a conversation of – not necessarily raising the tournament to 24 (teams), or braking the tournament back down to 12 or 8. But kind of a super-regional concept, which would cut-down a little bit on costs of being out at a National Tournament for several days.’’}
DePew says while he is not necessarily supportive of any changes, he is certainly open to the conversation.
DePew also thanked all of those who were involved in this year’s tournament on behalf of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the NJCAA Men’s Division II Basketball Committee. ”Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on our ability to do business in a ‘normal’ manner for over a year now. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who did everything possible to make it happen this season,” said DePew.
Danville has hosted the tournament for 28 years, but last year it was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the games returned this year, COVID health guidelines were strictly followed – including limiting the number of fans in the Mary Miller Gymnasium.
(This photo shows just a small part of the fans, but note they are wearing masks and social-distancing because of the on-going COVID pandemic.)
DACC is guaranteed it will host the National Tournament in 2022 and 2023, but next year is another bid year. It means Danville will have to present its case before the NJCAA Board of Directors on why the tournament should stay here. Local tournament leaders say they would love to land an agreement that is much longer than three years.
