Nearly 20 years after losing out to Peoria, Champaign-Urbana hopes to once again host the Illinois state high school boys basketball tournament. And a bid will be made to host the girls tournament as well.
The University of Illinois and the group Visit Champaign County plan to submit a bid to the Illinois High School Association to host the two tournaments from 2016 through 2020. A decision is expected next spring.
Visit Champaign County CEO Jayne DeLuce says a big plus for Champaign-Urbana’s bids will be the renovations now under way at the U of I’s State Farm Center. DeLuce says those renovations will enhance the entire tournament, both the games and related activities.
“Most important will be a very positive game atmosphere, but there’ll also be all of the amenities within the facility, that will create an awesome fan experience within the State Farm Center itself.”
Champaign-Urbana and the U of I hosted the state high school boys basketball tournament for 77 years, before Peoria won the right to host it in the 1990s. The girls tournament is currently held in Normal.