The Missouri Valley Conference announced it has secured an extension of its partnership with Visit Quad Cities and the TaxSlayer Center to conduct the MVC Women’s Basketball Championship through at least 2024. The MVC Presidents Council, following a recommendation of the league’s coaches and athletic administrators, approved the extension to keep the tournament in Moline, Illinois.
The agreement extends the Conference’s run in the Quad Cities for its 10-team event three more years – March 10-13, 2022; March 9-12, 2023; and March 14-17, 2024.
“From day one, it has been clear that this has been a true partnership with Visit Quad Cities, TaxSlayer Center and the Missouri Valley Conference,” said Patty Viverito, MVC Senior Associate Commissioner. “We are elated to call Moline, the Quad Cities and TaxSlayer home for our championship for at least three more years.”
The 2021 tournament—currently taking place at the TaxSlayer Center—marks the 14th consecutive season in its 39-year history that the event will take place at a neutral site. The Valley had previously played its postseason championship in St. Charles, Missouri, at The Family Arena for eight-straight seasons from 2008-2015 before moving the tournament to the Quad Cities. The Missouri Valley Conference is one of only seven conferences (out of 32 nationally) where the women’s basketball tournament plays at a neutral site, separate from the men’s championship (AAC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC are the others).
“On behalf of our Board of Directors, team, and the Quad Cities regional destination, we are grateful for the opportunity and excited about the future with the Missouri Valley Conference and their post-season Women’s Basketball Tournament,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “The MVC, their 10 member institutions, the participating student-athletes, and fans connected to The Valley are important to us on so many levels. Serving as host of the tournament provides a platform for the QC, delivers a positive economic return for the community, and programs one of our most vital regional assets, the TaxSlayer Center. Hoops in the Heartland will call Moline and the Quad Cities home through 2024 and we are proud of this partnership, the MVC’s confidence in us, and the value this signature event brings to the region.”
Since opening its doors in May of 1993, the TaxSlayer Center has continually been recognized as an outstanding venue for sporting events, concerts, and family shows. The arena has a seating capacity of just over 9,000 for sporting events and has extensive experience in hosting college basketball games, NHL and NBA exhibition contests, minor league hockey, and arena football games. The Mid-Continent Conference (now Summit League) held its men’s conference tournament at the venue from 1996-99, and the Quad City Thunder basketball team of the Continental Basketball Associations also played its home games at the arena for six seasons (1993-98).
“We couldn’t be more excited to have extended our partnership with the Missouri Valley Conference and Visit Quad Cities,” said Scott Mullen, TaxSlayer Center Executive Director. “This tournament has an electric atmosphere, showcases some of the top players in the country, gives us great exposure and has a positive economic impact for the entire area.”
About the Missouri Valley Conference
The nation’s second-oldest Division I conference; the Missouri Valley Conference continues to be a leader in college athletics and is one of the nation’s most progressive conferences, celebrating its 114th-year of competition. The league consists of 10 diverse institutions across four states, whose members include Bradley, Drake, Evansville, Illinois State, Indiana State, Loyola, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois and Valparaiso. Dallas Baptist is an affiliate member for baseball, Arkansas-Little Rock is an affiliate member in women’s swimming and diving, and Stony Brook is an affiliate member in women’s tennis. Conference members have worked together to focus on common goals and objectives, putting a high value on league harmony while continuing to invest in athletic programs to compete at the highest level. The Valley brand remains very strong, both regionally and nationally, and the great athletic tradition of The Valley remains a compelling force in recruiting student-athletes and in marketing all the MVC programs. For more information, visit www.mvc-sports.com.
About Visit Quad Cities
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the official Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) for the region. Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine charged with driving economic opportunity through tourism, building our authentic brand, telling & selling the Quad Cities story, and enhancing Quad Citizens’ quality of life and quality of place.
About TaxSlayer Center
The TaxSlayer Center is one of the top-grossing mid-size venues in the country, has won numerous awards since opening in 1993, and has been perennially ranked among the top 10 Arenas in the country for tickets sold and gross dollars for facilities under 12,000 seats.
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