SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane is preparing to host their first NCAA Tournaments since 2016. Games are already close to selling out and people are getting excited.
That includes the University of Idaho, who are hosting the games.
“We are so looking forward to working up in Spokane," U of I Athletic Director Terry Gawlik said.
The University of Idaho is the host school for the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament being held in Spokane. U of I won the right to host after a competitive bid process in 2020.
“We have a whole checklist of everything that you need to have done or should have done ahead of time," Gawlik said.
The university is in charge of making sure everything is ready to go, from the court and baskets, to hotels, practice schedules and more.
“We want to knock it out of the park," Gawlik said. "We want to be the best host facility or entity that we can.”
A hundred volunteers will also play a part in making the event a success.
“I'm just grateful that they reached out and I get this opportunity again to help them," volunteer Freddie Rehkow said.
Rehkow who volunteered at the NCAA women’s basketball tournament held in Spokane in 2022, will volunteer in this year's men tournament. He’s excited to get back.
“They call Spokane hooptown, you know, for a reason. I think this community just embraces basketball," Rehkow said.
Rehkow will be in charge of court supervising and walking players to press conferences. He couldn’t pass on the opportunity.
“Volunteering gives me an opportunity to kind of give back but also help the universities," Rehkow said. "And, I mean, how can you go wrong? You get to see some really good basketball.”
Gawlik hopes this year’s tournament will lead to more opportunities in the future.
"It gives great exposure to our university if you host a great event and people usually ask you back again and again," she said.
The University of Idaho has already been tasked with hosting the 2025 NCAA women’s basketball tournament in Spokane. Gawlik says the school will have its logo on the court during this year's tournament.
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