Division One college basketball returns to Pinellas County for the first time in over two decades
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — For just the second time since 1999, Division One men’s college basketball is being played in Pinellas County. While the Final Four and national championship games took place at Tropicana Field at the turn of the century, this week the spotlight shifts to Eckerd College for the Showdown in St. Pete.
What You Need To Know
- For just the second time since 1999, Division One men’s college basketball is being played in Pinellas County
- The event was planned to be in the Tropicana Field
- It will now take place at Eckerd College
- MORE INFORMATION: The Showdown in St. Pete at Eckerd College
Inside the MacArthur Center, teams from Central Michigan, Coppin State, and South Alabama are preparing for tipoff — marking a major milestone for local sports fans.
“This is really surreal,” said Nima Omidvar, event director for the Showdown in St. Pete. Omidvar has worked for years to bring Division One basketball back to the area. He said the journey wasn’t easy — the original plan to host the event at Tropicana Field was derailed after the venue sustained damage during last year’s hurricane season.
Instead, organizers turned to Eckerd College, where they hope the event can grow roots.
“Long term, the hope and vision is that this event will remain here at Eckerd College and be able to expand — and eventually have some powerful institutions participate in the Trop, giving them a Final Four-type of experience similar to what happened in 1999,” Omidvar said.
Beyond the action on the court, organizers see major economic potential.
“Just with the three teams coming down here is about $300,000,” Omidvar added. “Every year we want to be able to grow a little bit more and have a greater impact on this community.”
College basketball analyst Rocco Miller, who helped recruit teams for the tournament, said this is just the beginning.
“We’re starting with three teams this year, but there’s a really good opportunity to have at least six next year,” Miller said. “It’ll continue to build and grow — and help the community learn more about Division One basketball.”
The tournament runs Thursday through Saturday at Eckerd College’s MacArthur Center, but organizers still have their sights set on bringing future games back to Tropicana Field — a move that could once again place Pinellas County in the national college basketball spotlight.
