University of Nevada, Reno athletics director Chris Ault has worked diligently to develop a strong working relationship between the university's athletic program and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.
That relationship was further strengthened with last month's announcement that the university and the RSCVA have teamed with the Eldorado and the Silver Legacy to co-sponsor the Wolf Pack Holiday Basketball Classic, slated for Dec.
20-21 at Lawlor Events Center.
The two-day, four-team event will feature Nevada, the University of California-Santa Barbara and Kansas, one of the premier men's collegiate basketball programs in the nation.
A fourth team will be determined later.
RSCVA President and CEO Jeff Beckelman echoed Ault's sentiments on the two entities commitment to work together to strengthen the tourism sector of the economy.
"This basketball tournament is a perfect example of that," Beckelman said.
The event is likely to attract plenty of fans.
Kansas has been known to have a rabid fan base that follows the team on road games.
As an added appeal locally, soon-to-graduate Reno High School standout David Padgett already has committed to play for the Kansas Jayhawks, beginning next season.
Ault said the university and its athletic programs seek to be an integral part of the Reno-Sparks economic community.
"We feel fiscally and economically that we bring an awful lot to this table," Ault said.
"This (Classic) is a wonderful opportunity on what a university such as ours can bring."
A study done by the university's athletic department found that in the last five years, all athletic programs generate $20 million in revenue annually from attendance at home games.
Overall, the local economy receives an impact of $30 million annually from UNR athletic events.
Beckelman said the basketball extravaganza will provide additional economic benefits.
It's expected that about 5,000- 10,000 out-of-town fans will flock to the Reno-Sparks area for the Classic.
Normally, the university draws 2,500 visiting fans a year for Wolf Pack men's basketball games.
"This is going to be a great event," Beckelman said.
Glenn Carano, director of marketing for the Silver Legacy, said the tournament is another of many promotional events that can bring plenty of visitors to Reno.
"With the excitement over March Madness, we would like to bring the madness to Reno," Carano said.
"We're here to create reasons for people to come to Reno and make our economy better.
We're optimistic that this can bring a lot of people to town."
RSCVA officials still are negotiating with hotels on accommodations for the teams and their fans.
