“Thanks, Detroit!” That was the resounding theme which echoed throughout the Metro area after North Carolina cut down the nets at Ford Field as the new National Champions, and basketball fans from around the country began their travels home.
And, of course, UDM was the host institution for college basketball's crown jewel event, the Final Four.
“This has been a remarkable week in the Motor City,” noted SAEC commissioner Mike Slive, chair of the NCAA Division I men's basketball committee, at a Tuesday morning wrap-up press conference. “We had four great teams competing for the championship and we set records not only in Ford Field, but all over the city. I'd be remiss if we didn't say a championship-sized thank you to a lot of people who worked so hard over the last two years to make this week possible.
“The friendliness of everyone in Detroit was wonderful. We felt the warmth of your friendship and the gratitude of the city that the Final Four was here. Everyone wanted to show that Detroit is a great city with great people, and they did.”
Among the records set?
* The highest attended national semi-final games in Final Four history (72,456)
* The highest attended national championship game in Final Four history (72,922)
* Highest total Final Four attendance (145,378)
* Record attendance at Hoop City (more than 75,000 over four days)
* Record attendance over three days at the Big Dance, a series of free concerts along the Riverfront (estimated at 300,000 fans)
* A record-breaking number of more than 4,000 youth participants in the Final Four Dribble
* A record number of participants in the Road to the Final Four 5k Run/Walk (1,702)
“What a terrific party it was,” added Bill Ryan, executive director of the Detroit Local Organizing Committee. “This is one of the most sought-after events in the world, and we were able to show the world what Detroit is really made of.
“Additionally, the NCAA and the Detroit Local Organizing Committee reached out to the local community to develop a legacy from the 2009 NCAA Men's Final Four in Detroit that we believe will benefit our area.”
Over 1,000 pounds of food was recovered by Forgotten Harvest from 36 Final Four events at 12 venues and donated to six different organizations. A thousand pairs of shoes were donated through the Samaritan's Feet program and distributed to seven different organizations throughout the Detroit area. Fans donated 2,200 pre- and early-reader books at Final Four Friday, Final Four Dribble, Hoop City and the Road to the Final Four 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Legacy Early Childhood Learning program administered by the United Way of Southeastern Michigan. Additionally, Wilson donated 11,000 basketball jerseys to area youth groups. Local children took advantage of the free YES clinics with 380 participants at Renaissance High School, 200 at Western International High School, and 154 at Joe Dumars Fieldhouse (Shelby Township).
“From an NCAA perspective, this has been an outstanding week. In addition to the attendance records we set for the games in Ford Field and the various ancillary events, we have been able to reach out to the community in so many meaningful and diverse ways, Greg Shaheen, NCAA Senior Vice President for Basketball and Business Strategies, said. “It has truly been a rewarding experience for us. Our goal was to have a lasting and positive impact on the Detroit-metro area. We feel we have done that.”
In the end, UDM's Keri Gaither was a proud athletic director as well as chair of the DLOC.
“I feel that our staff did a tremendous job in our role as host institution, and it was truly a memorable week in Detroit. This was a particularly great time to showcase Detroit and Michigan to the nation,” she said. “There are so many details that surround an event like this and everyone did a great job all over the city. We wanted to make this a special week for the participating schools and their student-athletes. I think they'll go home and say, 'What a great Final Four.' We were happy to be a part of it.”
-Detroit Titans-
