This week began some of the big events that the NCAA is putting on for the Final Four. The New Orleans Local Organizing Committee is comprised of individuals and resources from Tulane University, The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, and The Allstate Sugarbowl. On Monday of this week, Tulane hosted an event called a Career in Sports Forum for high school juniors and seniors, and college students. Individuals from the NCAA in Indianapolis came in town and ran the event, and myself and other individuals from the Local Organizing Committee worked the event. The forum had four separate sessions where student were able to hear from many of the different avenues of careers surrounding sports. There were Athletic Directors and assistant Athletic Directors from the many different areas of collegiate athletics, representative from the Saints, Hornets, Sun belt Conference, and NCAA as well as representatives from non-profit sports organizations and recruiting mentorship programs. The event showcased the wide range of careers associated in athletics or even careers not associated with athletics specifically but that contribute to an event of this magnitude. I was able to sit in on some of these sessions and the biggest thing I gained was simply listening to the stories and experiences of how each individual got into their field of work. Every single one of them took a different road to get where they are today, and the all had different and individuals experiences and backgrounds. It was an encouraging thing and something that is relevant to those of us about to graduate and head into the work field. There are so many roads and opportunities for achievement, growth and experience ahead of us, and none of our routes to getting where we want to be will look the same, or should look the same. There is no cookie-cutter checklist to follow, we have freedom in making decisions and pursuing goals and career opportunities. The education that we have has prepared us for such a wide range of options, and now it is our privilege to get to go out and pursue the possibilities.
Here is the Schedule of Events for the Final Four. I have the privilege of getting to work these events, and here is to hoping that MIZZOU MAKES IT TO THE BIG EASY!
DRAFT
2012 NCAA® Final Four® Event Schedule
New Orleans, LA
All times are subject to change; all times are local, Central time
All events are open to the public
NCAA® Final Four® Career in Sports Forum
Location: Tulane University
Admission: Free
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Description: The NCAA Men’s Final Four Career in Sports Forum will enlist professionals from all aspects of the sports industry to inform, educate and enlighten high school juniors and college students on athletic and non-athletic sports career options. The 500 attendees will also visit with representatives from local universities and sports industry organizations.
Samaritan’s Feet/Feed the Hungry Distribution
Location: Mary Bethune Elementary School
Admission: N/A
Hours: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Description: Throughout Final Four week the NCAA and NABC will team up to distribute 2,012 pairs of shoes and 2,012 food boxes to selected kids and families in need in the New Orleans community with the help of Samaritan’s Feet and Feed the Hungry, both humanitarian non-profit agencies.
NCAA® Four Courts in Four Days
Location: Mary Bethune Elementary School
Admission: N/A
Hours: TBD
Description: The NCAA and Tulane University are teaming up to refurbish four basketball courts in four days leading up to the 2012 NCAA Final Four. The Mary Bethune Elementary School project with bring a new fence around the school’s playground.
Samaritan’s Feet/Feed the Hungry Distribution
Location: Kingsley House
Admission: N/A
Hours: 11a.m. – 2 p.m.
Description: Throughout Final Four week the NCAA and NABC will team up to distribute 2,012 pairs of shoes and 2,012 food boxes to selected kids and families in need in the New Orleans community with the help of Samaritan’s Feet and Feed the Hungry, both humanitarian non-profit agencies.
Samaritan’s Feet/Feed the Hungry Distribution
Location: Bayou District Foundation
Admission: N/A
Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Description: Throughout Final Four week the NCAA and NABC will team up to distribute 2,012 pairs of shoes and 2,012 food boxes to kids and families in need in the New Orleans community with the help of Samaritan’s Feet and Feed the Hungry, both humanitarian non-profit agencies.
NCAA® Four Courts in Four Days
Location: Dryades YMCA
Admission: N/A
Hours: TBD
Description: The NCAA and Tulane University are teaming up to refurbish four basketball courts in four days leading up to the 2012 NCAA Final Four. Through this project, the Dryades YMCA will receive new basketball equipment for their athletic facilities that serve youth in the community.
NCAA® Final Four® USBWA Sports Writing Workshop
Location: TBD
Admission: Free
Hours: 8:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Description: The USBWA Sports Writing Workshop takes place Thursday morning, March 29 with a tentative time from 9-11 a.m. The location is TBA. The workshop is for aspiring high school and college journalists hoping to pursue a career in sports writing. Members of the USBWA serve on a panel to talk about their careers in the business and answer questions and offer advice to those hoping to go down the same career path. Select participants will receive a day-specific credential to attend official media events at the Louisiana Superdome.
Grow Dat Youth Farm
Location: City Park
Admission: N/A
Hours: TBD
Description: The NCAA and Tulane University are teaming up to refurbish four basketball courts in four days leading up to the 2012 NCAA Final Four. The Grow Dat Youth Farm will bring a clean-up and renovation project to the City Park garden while focusing on the NCAA values of inclusion and diversity.
Samaritan’s Feet/Feed the Hungry Distribution
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School
Admission: N/A
Hours: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Description: Throughout Final Four week the NCAA and NABC will team up to distribute 2,012 pairs of shoes and 2,012 food boxes to selected kids and families in need in the New Orleans community with the help of Samaritan’s Feet and Feed the Hungry, both humanitarian non-profit agencies.
USBWA Awards Breakfast
Location: New Orleans Marriott, Arcadia Room
Admission: TBD
Hours: 8 – 9:30 a.m.
Description: The basketball writers will hand out the organizations' National Freshman, National Coach and National Player of the Year awards. Tickets can be purchased by visiting http://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa
NCAA® Final Four® Youth Day
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome (Claiborne, Iberville and St. Charles clubs)
Admission: Free
Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Description: NCAA Final Four Friday Youth Day will provide New Orleans area youth the opportunity to embrace the values of education, sports and community involvement. Approximately 400 selected middle school aged students as participants will be focus in on the areas of life skills, healthy living, character development, leadership, diversity and community involvement. Following lunch, the group will then be escorted to the Superdome to take part in the Final Four Friday festivities.
Final Four Friday® - Team Practices
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Admission: Free
Hours: 12 – 4 p.m. (Gates open at 11 a.m.)
Description: See the 2012 NCAA Final Four teams in action one last time before the big games take place. Final Four head coach interviews and other local entertainment will be sure to add to the excitement. Fans in attendance will be randomly selected to win national semifinal and championship game tickets throughout the day! Practice times are based on team seeding:
12 - 12:50 p.m. Game No. 1 Lower Seed
1 - 1:50 p.m. Game No. 2 Lower Seed
2:10 - 3 p.m. Game No. 1 Higher Seed
3:10 - 4 p.m. Game No. 2 Higher Seed
Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero
Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center H-J
Admission: $10 (ages 12 and over)
$6 (ages 3-11, college students*, senior citizens (55 and older), and military*)
Free (ages 2 and under)
*Appropriate ID required.
**Purchase tickets at the box office, by phone or online at NCAA.com/finalfour. Additional fees apply for online and phone purchases.
Hours: 12 – 8 p.m.
Description: Come play with the best at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero - the ultimate Final Four fan fest! Fans of all ages can test their skills and enjoy championship action with basketball competitions, clinics, performances, autograph sessions and photo ops, the latest in interactive games and demonstrations, prizes and more. Everyone's a champion at Bracket Town.
AT&T™ Block Party, The Big Dance® Concert Series
Location: Woldenberg Park
Admission: Free
Hours: 4 – 10 p.m.
Description: The Big Dance is a free three-day concert series open to music fans in celebration of the NCAA Men's Final Four. In addition to the music, there will be plenty of food and activities to keep you entertained.
Reese’s® College All-Star Game
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Admission: Free
Hours: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Description: The Reese's College All-Star Game features two teams comprised of the top collegiate senior student-athletes in the country. For the fourth year, the game will be played in the Final Four venue and will provide Louisiana residents and other NCAA basketball fans the chance to see many of the best college basketball players perform in action for free!
Final Four Fan Gathering Restaurants
Location: South Regional: Huck Finn’s Café, French Quarter, New Orleans
West Regional: Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant, Warehouse District, New Orleans
East Regional: Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill, Spanish Plaza at the River, New Orleans
Midwest Regional: The Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill, Spanish Plaza at the River, New Orleans
Description: Restaurants from around New Orleans will adopt fans from each of the Final Four teams during the championship week in New Orleans. Make these establishments your headquarters to meet old friends, new friends and fellow alumni. These establishments will be a prime gathering location throughout the week. See you there!
POWERADE® NCAA Youth Clinics
Location: Tulane University (Reily Center) and the Alario Center
Admission: Free (Participants must be between 8-16 years of age [boys and girls] and pre-registered - pre-registration is highly encouraged)
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Online
Registration: Log on to www.NCAA.com/finalfour for details. Online registration will be available for the first 400 youth at each site at www.NCAA.com/youthclinics. Onsite
Registration: Limited availability given on a first come, first serve basis on the day of the event at each clinic.
Description: The POWERADE NCAA Youth Clinics are a community outreach program that connects kids ages 8 – 16 with the basketball championship and provides them with resources designed to have a lasting impact. Participants receive sport instruction from NCAA coaches and student-athletes and get valuable information on fitness, healthy lifestyles and sportsmanship. The clinics also feature a session for parents and guardians with information on recruiting, academic and eligibility issues.
Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero
Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Hall H-J
Admission: $10 (ages 12 and over)
$6 (ages 3-11, college students*, senior citizens (55 and older), and military*)
Free (ages 2 and under)
*Appropriate ID required.
**Purchase tickets at the box office, by phone or online at NCAA.com/finalfour. Additional fees apply for online and phone purchases.
Hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Description: Come play with the best at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero - the ultimate Final Four fan fest! Fans of all ages can test their skills and enjoy championship action with basketball competitions, clinics, performances, autograph sessions and photo ops, the latest in interactive games and demonstrations, prizes and more. Everyone's a champion at Bracket Town.
Coca-Cola Zero™ Countdown, The Big Dance Concert Series
Location: Woldenberg Park
Admission: Free.
Hours: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Description: The Big Dance is a free three-day concert series open to music fans in celebration of the NCAA Men’s Final Four. In addition to the music, there will be plenty of food and activities to keep you entertained.
Final Four Fan Gathering Restaurants
Location: South Regional: Huck Finn’s Café, French Quarter, New Orleans
West Regional: Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant, Warehouse District, New Orleans
East Regional: Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill, Spanish Plaza at the River, New Orleans
Midwest Regional: The Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill, Spanish Plaza at the River, New Orleans
Description: Restaurants from around New Orleans will adopt fans from each of the Final Four teams during the championship week in New Orleans. Make these establishments your headquarters to meet old friends, new friends and fellow alumni. These establishments will be a prime gathering location throughout the week. See you there!
| Saturday, March 31 (cont.) |
National Semifinals
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Admission: Sold out. Seating capacity is approximately 74,000
Hours: Tipoff is approximately 5:09 p.m. The second semifinal game will take place approximately 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. (Gates open at 3 p.m.)
Description: The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is held each spring featuring 65 college basketball teams in the United States. The 20-day tournament, commonly referred to as March Madness®, has become one of the country’s most prominent sporting events. The tournament, whose field includes conference champions and other top teams, is staged in a single-elimination format. Since its 1939 inception, it has built a legacy that includes dynasty teams, dramatic underdog stories and outstanding individual performances.
NCAA® Four Courts in Four Days
Location: West Bank YMCA
Admission: N/A
Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Description: The NCAA and the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation will partner to refurbish the West Bank YMCA gymnasium during Final Four week. The foundation was established in memory of Tyler Ugolyn, an outstanding NCAA student-athlete at Columbia University, and is committed to supporting youth basketball, with an emphasis on court refurbishment, skills clinics and financial support for character-building educational programs aimed at children in urban settings.
NCAA® Final Four Dribble® presented by Lowes Senior CLASS Award®
Location: Start: Champions Square; Lasalle Street, New Orleans, LA
Finish: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (Bracket Town)
Admission: Free
Hours: Dribble begins at 2 p.m.; Registration: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (All participants, including pre-registered, must check-in prior to 1:30 p.m.)
Online
Registration: Log onto www.NCAA.com/finalfour to register for the NCAA Final Four Dribble presented by Lowes Senior CLASS Award. Online registration will be available to the first 2,000 registrants.
Onsite
Registration: Onsite registration will be available to the first 1,000 registrants who did not pre-register online.
Description: Basketball fans, 18 years of age and younger, will have the opportunity to dribble from Champions Square to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Participants will receive a free basketball and t-shirt courtesy of the NCAA, Lowes Senior CLASS Award, Wilson Sporting Goods and the New Orleans Local Organizing Committee. Participants wearing their Final Four Dribble t-shirt will also receive free admission to Bracket Town on event day. Participants must be present to receive complimentary items and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero
Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center H-J
Admission: $10 (ages 12 and over)
$6 (ages 3-11, college students*, senior citizens (55 and older), and military*)
Free (ages 2 and under)
*Appropriate ID required.
**Purchase tickets at the box office, by phone or online at NCAA.com/finalfour. Additional fees apply for online and phone purchases.
Hours: 12 – 8 p.m.
Description: Come play with the best at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero - the ultimate Final Four fan fest! Fans of all ages can test their skills and enjoy championship action with basketball competitions, clinics, performances, autograph sessions and photo ops, the latest in interactive games and demonstrations, prizes and more. Everyone's a champion at Bracket Town.
Final Four Fan Gathering Restaurants
Location: South Regional: Huck Finn’s Café, French Quarter, New Orleans
West Regional: Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant, Warehouse District, New Orleans
East Regional: Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill, Spanish Plaza at the River, New Orleans
Midwest Regional: The Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill, Spanish Plaza at the River, New Orleans
Description: Restaurants from around New Orleans will adopt fans from each of the Final Four teams during the championship week in New Orleans. Make these establishments your headquarters to meet old friends, new friends and fellow alumni. These establishments will be a prime gathering location throughout the week. See you there!
Capital One SM JamFest, The Big Dance Concert Series
Location: Woldenberg Park
Admission: Free.
Hours: 3 – 10 p.m.
Description: The Big Dance is a free three-day concert series open to music fans in celebration of the NCAA Men’s Final Four. In addition to the music, there will be plenty of food and activities to keep you entertained.
Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero
Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center H-J
Admission: $10 (ages 12 and over)
$6 (ages 3-11, college students*, senior citizens (55 and older), and military*)
Free (ages 2 and under)
*Appropriate ID required.
**Purchase tickets at the box office, by phone or online at NCAA.com/finalfour. Additional fees apply for online and phone purchases.
Hours: 12 – 7 p.m.
Description: Come play with the best at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero - the ultimate Final Four fan fest! Fans of all ages can test their skills and enjoy championship action with basketball competitions, clinics, performances, autograph sessions and photo ops, the latest in interactive games and demonstrations, prizes and more. Everyone's a champion at Bracket Town.
Final Four Fan Gathering Restaurants
Location: South Regional: Huck Finn’s Café, French Quarter, New Orleans
West Regional: Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant, Warehouse District, New Orleans
East Regional: Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill, Spanish Plaza at the River, New Orleans
Midwest Regional: The Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill, Spanish Plaza at the River, New Orleans
Description: Restaurants from around New Orleans will adopt fans from each of the Final Four teams during the championship week in New Orleans. Make these establishments your headquarters to meet old friends, new friends and fellow alumni. These establishments will be a prime gathering location throughout the week. See you there!
National Championship
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Admission: Sold out. Seating capacity is approximately 74,000
Hours: Tipoff is approximately 8:23 p.m. (Gates open at 6 p.m.)
Description: This is the game everyone has waited for. The top two teams in the nation will play each other for the most coveted title in every intercollegiate sport - National Champions!
NCAA/NABC Coaches Trophy Presentation
Location: TBD
Admission: Free
Hours: Postgame
Description: Winning coach and student-athletes will be presented with the NABC championship trophy in a pep rally setting for all fans to enjoy.
