ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) – The WIAA State Girls Basketball tournament is returning to the Resch Center this week, two years after being cut short due to the start of the pandemic.
For many, it may seem like that light at the end of the tunnel, as a tournament called off over the pandemic now returns at full capacity.
“The sports and entertainment world came to a halt, with it really starting with the W.I.A.A. girls state tournament two years ago,” said PMI Entertainment Communications Manager, Terry Charles. “It does feel good to know that we are getting back to normal. It’s been 2 years and the W.I.A.A., they’re thrilled to be back and bring the economic impact back to Green Bay, bring the fans back to the Resch Center.”
Even last year’s tournament saw some changes, with tournaments operating in non-typical fashion.
“We had to make adjustments to how we were going to offer tournaments. We didn’t bring everybody to one site. We had two separate locations, we brought in a division, made them play all the way to a finish, and then had them leave,” said WIAA Assistant Director, Kate Peterson Abiad. “Trying to organize those and put them in places that we’ve never been before and all of that makes coming back this year feel just really comfortable. Knowing that we’re with the people that have helped us run this tournament for so many years, it does it feel like we’re coming home.”
But now that the girls tournament is slated to hit the floor over the course of the next three days, people are getting excited.
“It’s a big thing for the businesses to have the people here but I just think it’s a big thing mentally for all of us just to have that normalcy back…For our heads, and for business, that’s a huge thing to know this is happening normally again. There’s no limitation on the crowds, there’s really no COVID protocols, it’s business and sports as usual,” Charles told WTAQ News. “Two years ago when we got one day of the tournament in and then we had to shut it down, that was crushing. I’m a big sports guy myself, so just to see the basketball back with the state girls, it’s such a big thing for them.”
“The level of basketball now in the state of Wisconsin compared to 10 years ago, it’s elevated. They’re better, and they’re fun to watch. It’s exciting and it’s so competitive, and we’re seeing great games that are going down to the wire and it’s just been really an exciting tournament,” Peterson Abiad said. “[When] the teams start arriving, then the excitement starts and I can let go of all the planning and details, and just really engage in the basketball, which is what I love.”
As for the community itself, the influx creates a major economic impact as well. While each year varies, depending on which schools make the tournament, it usually brings in approximately $2 million to the Green Bay area.
“We’re very excited to have W. I. A. A back in the building and back in our community,” said Discover Green Bay President, Brad Toll. “We’re filling hotel rooms this weekend, and the hotels are starting to decorate in the team’s colors – so it’s really a time of the year that we celebrate in Green Bay. We’ve missed them, so it’s great to have them back.”
Toll is also excited about the opportunity for players and parents to take tourism breaks between games and check out restaurants around the area – or even walk down the block to Lambeau Field.
Discover Green Bay is also making a promotional push to get as many fans in the stands as possible with their ‘Rush to the Resch’ program.
“We have a fan promotion that we’re doing this year asking the high schools to kind of clear out their town and get everybody to the Resch,” Toll said. “The school that sells the most tickets through their school, in their division, can receive a $2,000 check from the Green Bay community to use at their school anyway they choose.”
That means five schools will get checks to put towards their athletic programs, curriculum, or other plans.
As for where Toll plans to be during the games?
“My hometown is in the tournament this year, Laconia! So I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
Laconia competes against Neillsville in the Division 4 semi-finals Thursday night. The first game is in Division 3 – #1 Waupun vs. #4 Dominican at 1:35 p.m. on Thursday.
You can check out the full schedule right here.
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