Taking a Stand: Elite Eight National Finals

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - When it comes to hosting top notch collegebasketball tournaments, Evansville has a long and rich history.

From 1957 through 1976, Evansville and Roberts Stadium played host to what was then the NCAA CollegeDivision National Finals.

During that illustrious span, the Evansville Purple Aces, coached by the late Hall of Famer AradMcCutchan won five national championships. The Aces arch rivals, the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers of Owensboro won four of their eventual eightnational titles.

It was truly a great tournament at a great venue,hosted by a great community.

This week, Evansville and the Tri-State have another tremendous opportunity to showcasejust how wonderful the community really is, as the NCAA Elite EightNational Finals come to the Fford Center.

Hosting the EliteEight is a big deal. It's not just great hoops, played before anationwide television audience, but is a terrific economic boost to ourcity and to our national profile.

If you lovecollege basketball being played in a family-friendly environment at avery reasonable price, please make the Ford Center your destination thisweek.

Together, let's show once again that when it comes tohosting a big time March Madness event, that no city can do it better thanEvansville, Indiana.