ÂŽ SLAM DUNK This spring's Final Four that is being held in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is the culmination of a three-year run of March Madness in New Orleans that began with NCAA first-and second-round tournament games held in 2010 and the Southeast Regional in 2011 . Beyond that, the women's Final Four is slated to return to New Orleans in 2013. Rick Dickson recalls having conversations with NCAA officials back in 2007. "I said, 'Wouldn 't it be a great thing if my industry, the NCAA, was to serve in this rebuilding [of New Orleans] by staging a series of these championship events?"' In addition to events involving NCAA basketball , the BCS national championship took place in the Superdome in January of this year and the NFL'sSuper Bowl is slated for the Dome in February 2013. " No city in the United States has ever had a run like we are having right now," says Bill Curl. " My goodness. Back to back to back of nationally prominent, wonderful events."
INTRODUCING THEGREENWAVE Representing Tulane Univers ity, the host institution for the Final Four, members of the Green Wave basketball team , along with thei r coach , Ed Conroy , will be introduced at the first semifinal game that w ill take place on Saturday, March 31.
TULANE MAGAZINE
WINTER 2012
19