MINNEAPOLIS - Planning for the 2019 NCAA Men's Final Four is well underway in Minneapolis.
On Monday, Super Bowl 52 organizers formally "passed the torch" onto those working ahead of the biggest college basketball event in the country to be held at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Organizers promise a lot of fun.
"Economic benefits of an event such as this, such as the Super Bowl, is just phenomenal," said Governor Mark Dayton.
What could also be phenomenal? The Gophers making it to the 2019 Final Four. Two Golden Gopher basketball greats, John Thomas and Quincy Lewis were on hand for the festivities Monday.
Maureen Bausch, who ran the Super Bowl Host Committee, offered some advice.
"Plan, plan, plan. Plan absolutely everything, every scenario and get systems in place, in case it does and then hope and pray you never have to use them," said Bausch. "What I learned from watching the Super Bowl Host Committee is that there were three things that helped us win the bid. One: We are easy to get to, easy to get around. Two: We have world-class venues. Three: We have a community that delivers," said Kate Mortenson, Minneapolis Final Four Local Organizing Committee, CEO.
The community will be a main focus these next 13 months, ahead of the games, similar to the Super Bowl Host Committee's "52 Weeks of Giving."
"The Super Bowl Host Committee established a high bar and we will have our own legacy program that we will announce later this Spring," said Mortenson.
Remember all the fun we had for the 10-days ahead of Super Bowl 52, well expect some more of that April 6-8, 2019.
"Over the course of the four days, our invitation is for people to stay downtown and be a part of the many free low-cost activities," said Mortenson.
Regarding the blackout curtains needed for the event, Mortenson stated that it's "not a brand new issue”, “will take time to work out” and they, the stadium, and their partners are “working on a solution collaboratively."
If you want a ticket to the 2019 Final Four, it's a lottery system. Click here to learn more.
