NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The NJCAA Division I Men's basketball tournament is at the Hutchinson Sports Arena starting Monday and volunteers with the American Legion here in Hutchinson continue to make the tournament go behind the scenes.
"We've got about 200 volunteers out of the Legion that helps us," said Ron Chadwick, in his third time as tournament chairman. "It takes everybody to make the tournament go. Now, they are not out there at the same time, obviously, because it's a long week, we have volunteers and then we have guys that work all year long on the tournament, like our admissions staff out at the arena. They're there selling tickets. They are there every week of the year."
There's a new special deal on tickets for families that want to attend the tournament together.
"We're running a new deal this year, which is kind of cool," Chadwick said. "It's a family pack for $30 Monday through Thursday for the afternoon sessions, the day sessions. That's a little over $25 savings to the fans and you get four tickets. That's pretty cool this year."
Chadwick said even though he understands it's still going to be a couple more years, he's excited to see the new hotel project in Hutchinson happen from a tournament perspective.
"You don't know how excited I am," Chadwick said. "I have sleepless nights. You know, we've got teams staying over in Wichita. When they stay in Wichita, they practice over there, they may eat over there. We want to get them all back in Hutch. Plus, they want to be back in Hutch so they are closer to the arena and can get there quicker for their games."
The tournament begins at 10 a.m. Monday at the Sports Arena.
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