COLUMBUS, Ohio – A full-court press is underway to bring 30 NCAA tournament events to Columbus in the next five years.
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission is teaming up with Ohio State and Ohio Dominican Universities to submit 30 bids to the NCAA for 12 championship events in seven sports between 2014 and 2018, according to commission executive director Linda Logan.
The bids are aimed at attracting championships in sports ranging from rifle and rowing to volleyball and the mens ice hockey Frozen Four.
Starting this year, the NCAA has begun “bundling” championship event bids during the next four years to streamline the process.
More than 500 total sites over in 80 championships over four years will be awarded with the host finalists announced October 30 and selections made December 30.
The Columbus effort is aimed at attracting the Frozen Four, the Women’s Volleyball Championships and NCAA Division II Women’s Elite Eight, among others, to Nationwide Arena and venues on the OSU and Ohio Dominican campuses.
Central Ohio is already set to host basketball, wrestling, track diving and fencing events in 2014-2015.