WIAA tourney a success in Resch debut

ASHWAUBENON - The Resch Center in Ashwaubenon has a two year contract with the WIAA so the tournament will be back next year. But this year's success could keep the girls state basketball tournament coming back for more.

After 37 years of the WIAA playing its girls high school basketball tournament in Madison, the Green Bay area got a chance to steal the show this year.

Two key ingredients for a successful tournament came through--good weather to allow fans to get to the arena, and great matchups to fill the seats.

"I don't have the exact count from WIAA but back to back sessions when you get a team like Notre Dame and you get New London I mean there was some pretty big numbers," said Cora Haltaufderheid, Chief Operating Officer for PMI Entertainment which runs the Resch Center.

Haltaufderheid says tournament attendance is up over recent years when the games were played in Madison.

"We knew last year's numbers were right around 30,000, and a few years back around 34,000. That has been our goal all along and I'm proud to say as of this morning we achieved that goal and we're now exceeding that," said Haltaufderheid.

"It's been a terrific three days," said WIAA Executive Director Dave Anderson.

WIAA officials say they are pleased with the more intimate setting the Resch Center offers compared to larger venues in Madison that hosted the tournament in the past.

"To find a good sized venue that fits the tournament is important," said Anderson. "It looks and feels to be a raucous and enthusiastic crowd and that brings the state tournament atmosphere, that we're happy for the girls to have."

Not only do the teams on the court play a role in the success of the tournament, but WIAA officials also look for a fan friendly environment.

"From all indications our fans, and I can certainly attest my board and staff, have felt very, very welcome in coming here and we're grateful for that," said Anderson.

With the success of the tournament, PMI officials plan a full court press to keep the WIAA coming back for more.

"I think in the next couple months we'll sit down with them and hopefully we can talk about a long term deal," explained Haltaufderheid.

PMI officials also credit the community for the success of the tournament this year. Haltaufderheid says local teams brought out the fans, and businesses jumped on the bandwagon welcoming visitors.

Green Bay Chamber officials estimate the local economic impact of the girls tournament is around $3-million, which is reason enough they say to try and win a long-term contract with WIAA.