Latest news with #NCAADivisionIIMen'sBasketballEliteEight
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Evansville officials celebrate record-setting March Madness
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – The Evansville Regional Sports Commission has announced the busiest March in its history. Officials state Evansville hosted 33 collegiate basketball games across four championship tournaments in March at the Ford Center. A few highlights include: The Ohio Valley Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships returning to Evansville for its eighth straight year The Missouri Valley Conference Women's Basketball tournament was played in Evansville for the first time The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Elite Eight returned to the Ford Center, broadcasted live on CBS. Officials say March also marked a first of its kind distinction for the River City: home to both the first and final automatic bids to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. 'To be the city that launches and closes the NCAA Women's Tournament ticket punching is something incredibly special,' said Brandon McClish, Executive Director of the Evansville Regional Sports Commission. 'It's a testament to the strength of our partnerships, the dedication of our volunteers, and the unwavering commitment of our community. What we achieved this March shows the world what Evansville can do—and we're just getting started.' Officials estimate the tournaments generated an approximate $1.4 million in economic impact for the region, driving nearly 4,000 nights booked in local hotels and bringing fans, teams and media from across the country into the heart of the city. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What one might not know about the 2025 Division II Elite Eight teams
EVANSVILLE, Ind (WEHT) – The Ford Center will play host of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Elite Eight once again, but the remaining eight looks very different compared to last year. So, who are the eight teams that will look to keep their tournament runs alive? Before tipoff Tuesday afternoon, here is some information about each team vying to advance to the Final Four and possibly the championship. Nova Southeastern (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) – Enrollment: 6,971 Nickname – Sharks Head Coach – Jim Crutchfield (6th season) This year will be the Shark's second Elite Eight appearance, making it to this point in back-to-back seasons. Some famous alumni include actor Seth Gabel, former baseball player Carlos Asuaje and retired military officer Michelle Fraley. West Liberty (West Liberty, West Virginia) – Enrollment: 1,964 Nickname – Hilltoppers Head Coach – Ben Howlett (8th season) This year marks the eighth time in the last 15 years the Hilltoppers are one of the final eight. Some famous alumni include broadcaster Chris Booker, pastor and writer Chip Ingram and producer and comic book writer David Campiti. Dallas Baptist (Dallas, Texas) – Enrollment: 3,361 Nickname – Patriots Head Coach – Blake Flickner (19th season) 2025 will mark the first time the Patriots have made the Elite Eight in program history. Famous alumni include former professional baseball players Brandon Harper and Vic Black along with businessman and Kansas City Mavericks hockey team owner Lamar Hunt Jr. Washburn (Topeka, Kansas) – Enrollment: 3,732 Nickname – Ichabods Head Coach – Brett Ballard (8th season) 2025 will be the Ichabods first Elite Eight appearance in over 20 years, last making it in 2001. Famous alumni include former U.S. Senator and one-time presidential candidate Bob Dole, science fiction writer Larry Niven and professional golfer Gary Woodland. Lenoir-Rhyne (Hickory, North Carolina) – Enrollment: 2,038 Nickname – Bears Head Coach – Brent Owen (1st season) The Bears are making their first appearance in the Elite Eight in program history, knocking off UNC Pembroke 76-74 in overtime. Famous alumni include comedian, writer and podcaster Tom Segura, University of Tennessee men's head basketball coach Rick Barnes and football player Kyle Dugger. Lake Superior State (Sault S Marie, Michigan) – Enrollment: 1,384 Nickname – Lakers Head Coach – Steve Hettinga (18th season) The Lakers are playing their first Elite Eight game in program history. Lake Superior State has its fair share of former hockey alumni including Doug Weight, Steven Olesky, Brian Rolston and Jim Dowd. Politician Pete Stauber also graduated from the university with a criminology degree. Cal State Dominguez Hills (Carson, California) – Enrollment: 13,120 Nickname – Toros Head Coach – Steve Becker (12th season) The Toros are also making their first appearance in the Elite Eight after beating Point Loma. Famous alumni include Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, baseball player Kevin Pillar and actor Clarence Gilyard. Assumption (Worcester, Massachusetts) – Enrollment: 2,140 Nickname – Greyhounds Head Coach – Scott Faucher (6th season) The Greyhounds are returning to the Elite Eight for the first time in 50 years. Famous alumni include retired U.S. Army major general Robert Catalanotti, LSU head football coach Brian Kelly and Rhode Island governor Dan McKee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
