Our overlords friends at the NCAA have once again demonstrated their deft understanding of public relations and their contempt love for all things Ohio: An investigation by the Dayton Daily News reported last night that the organization forced local business groups in Dayton to cancel the "First Four Festival," held in conjunction with the first round of the NCAA tournament.
According to an email from the President of the Oregon District Business Association:
The Local Organizing Committee has been working with the NCAA to produce events in the region surrounding First Four and Selection Sunday. The NCAA is not allowing local sponsorships for public events (like the First Four Festival) which has impacted the LOC’s plans for the First Four Festival this year. The Local Organizing Committee has reached an agreement with the NCAA to not have a First Four Festival this year. The NCAA team is primarily an all-new group, different from the folks that were involved from NCAA last year; however, the LOC is committed to working with them for next year’s Festival.
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I know that you, like the rest of us, are disappointed there won’t be a First Four Festival this year, but we are working on some other events in Oregon that will promote our businesses to visitors and Dayton citizens alike. Stay tuned for more information on these activities! If you have any additional questions, please contact JP Nauseef, First Four LOC Chairman.
This is sadly reminiscent of the perennial threat by the NFL to burn at the stake any churches or civic groups with the temerity to host a Super Bowl party...
Keep up the good work, NCAA - stay cool, don't ever change!
