City of Madison officials are jumping to action over concerns that the WIAA is considering moving state high school basketball tournaments away from the UW-Madison’s Kohl Center.
The WIAA’s contract with the Kohl Center ends in 2013. The association is looking at moving the tournaments to Milwaukee or Green Bay because of conflicts with Badger hockey.
Mayor Paul Soglin says losing the tournaments to another city could result in a loss of more than $9 million in tourism revenues. He’s hoping the UW and the high school athletic association can reach some sort of agreement to keep student athletes coming to the Madison area each year.
AUDIO: Paul Soglin (:20)
Soglin says it just makes sense for the tournaments to be held in Madison, with students enjoying a chance to play in the same location as the Badgers.
A decision on where tournaments will be held in the future is expected within the next few weeks.
Robin Colbert, WIBA
