Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau: 2010 WIAA winter tournaments a flurry of activity

MADISON, WI—Nearly every weekend until the end of March, downtown Madison will become awash in school colors from places as close as Madison to as far as the northern tips of Wisconsin when student athletes from around the state compete in the annual Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) State Tournaments.

Open to the public, these tournaments are the perfect opportunity to become part of this yearly sports phenomenon. Even if your school isn’t battling on the ice or mats this weekend, with tickets at $8 per person, this is the chance to see some of the state’s top athletes vie for a championship. Pick a team and cheer them on!

The winter WIAA competitions began February 19th – 20th with Boys swimming and diving at the UW-Madison Natatorium and continued with Individual Wrestling competition February 25-27 at The Kohl Center.

March 4th – 6th will bring over 25,000 spectators and close to 700 athletes and coaches into town:

* Boys team wrestling, March 5-6, UW Field House

* Boys Hockey, March 4-6, Alliant Energy Center

* Girls Hockey, March 5-6, Alliant Energy Center

“The WIAA tournaments are fantastic events we look forward to each year,” said Deb Archer, CEO and President of the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau, “They are an integral part of our local economy and bring excitement and energy to our hospitality industry.”

Joined by parents, friends and enthusiastic fans, these athletes bring their game and their wallets when they visit Madison. WIAA tournaments make a healthy impact on the bottom line for Madison area hotels, restaurants and retail venues.

The 2009 winter tournaments brought an estimated 226,000 fans and athletes to Madison with direct spending into the community of $9.8 million.

Come welcome these dedicated athletes, coaches and fans and show why Madison’s natural affinity to athletics and the community’s support and passion for sports makes it the perfect destination for the WIAA games.

For specific game times for the WIAA tournaments please visit http://www.wiaawi.org.