Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO JD Dalfonso believes the city can not only prevent the IHSA boys basketball tournament from heading to Champaign with a strong bid, but also snag the girls tournament from Normal.
The IHSA board is set to make its decision April 21 on the IHSA basketball tournament hosting sites for the next three seasons. Champaign's State Farm Center is making a bid to host the boys tournament, and Illinois State University's Redbird Arena wants to continue hosting the girls tournament.
Dalfonso said what makes the Peoria Civic Center stand out is the March Madness Experience hosted next door to Carver Arena. It includes a cheerleading exhibition, the state wheelchair basketball championships, and more.
"We've seen a two weekend format over the last 25 years, and it's played very well in Peoria. With the new format coming for the IHSA basketball tournaments, we felt this is a great opportunity to put a strong bid in for the girls, as well," he said.
Peoria also submitted a separate bid for the boys tournament only, but Dalfonso said the heavy emphasis is on the combined bid.
