By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph got a big economic boost from hosting the NCAA Division II Women's Elite Eight and National Championship games.
The Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph played host to eight teams from across the nation just over a month ago, the event bringing in around $1.4 million in economic impact.
St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely says a lot of numbers go into making that one big number
"When you figure those numbers in, attendance, visitors that we know were here, overnight stays, the day trippers, the ticket price, that equates to $1.4 million of the women's basketball national championship in St. Joe for one week," Esely tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.
Convention and Visitors Burean Communications Director Christian Mengel says not only did several people go to the games, but they also ate local
"I saw about 50 people from one school spilling out of Geneo's Pizza, I didn't think they opened that early and I didn't think they were opened on a Monday, but their schools alumni association just chose to rent it out and start the party early and that was on a Monday morning," Mengel says.
Several fans packed into Civic Arena downtown during the Final Four and Championship matchups.
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