Now that the 2022 NJCAA Basketball Tournament at DACC is over, what about the future? Actually, for Danville and Vermilion County, last week’s “tournament week” provoked a lot of forward thinking, as we focused upon with a 1490 WDAN News Makers episode over the weekend.
Two of the biggest topics last week were: ONE, hoping for Danville Area Community College to be renewed as host site for the tournament after next year’s scheduled 30th year; and TWO, the potential of keeping the tournament here and the casino now coming to Danville, and what that could mean for the entire picture. Vermilion Advantage CEO Tim Dudley says hotel development around the casino is heavy on his mind. Dudley stated that Danville and Vermilion County need to cheer for what is here, and do it loudly.
NJCAA Division II Tournament Champs South Suburban prepare to pose for a post-game picture.
AUDIO: You know the hotels are the really important thing in this because they bring in people from out of town. They come from out of town to spend money in our community. But that hotel-motel tax, part of that goes to the Visitor’s and Convention Bureau, and that’s what’s able to sponsor stuff like this. So it’s great that we can keep that money circulating in our community and then be able to put on these great events, that are a quality of life issue. And that’s what keeps people in your town.
Our own Mike Hulvey said this can all seem a little overwhelming. And that, quite frankly, is wonderful.
AUDIO: As more revenue comes into the community and we’re able to reinvest inside the community to improve our neighborhoods and improving our quality of life, all of those things are really positive. So this is a really exciting time for us in looking forward; and not saying “oh my gosh, what are we going to do?” It’s really the opposite: “OH MY GOSH, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!!!” I mean our choices are so many. This is great.
And DACC President Dr. Stephen Nacco says when it comes to keeping the tournament in Danville, a lot of supporters are already in place.
AUDIO: Dr. Chris Parker, who’s the head of the NJCAA; he loves Danville, he understands Danville. One of the board members; my former boss, my president at Union County College, she’s on the board of the NJCAA. She’s also making a very strong case for us (for hosting it) permanently. It’s Dr. Margaret McMenamin. So we’ve got a lot of angels looking out for Danville.
Next year’s tournament, if all goes well, just might be taking place right around the time the Golden Nugget Casino is getting ready to open; and getting ready to be promoted to NJCAA visitors.
