With 3 months until tip-off, Minneapolis, NCAA prep for the Final Four

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(2019 Final Four Organizing Committee)

With the 2019 NCAA Final Four coming to Minneapolis in April, officials announced some details about the national event including a fan fest, open practices a music series and a tailgate.

The details were announced at North Commons Park, which is the 2019 recipient of the Final Four Legacy Project. The park will benefit from a volunteer beautification day where it will receive upgrades to the community center and basketball facilities.

The refurbished court and community center will be unveiled in the week leading up to the Final Four. The improvements will include new backboards, rims, safety straps, wall padding, a new public address system, light system, paint job, mural and refurbished court.

FINAL FOUR FESTIVITIES

The NCAA and the local organizing committee have set up a number of events to engage fans who aren’t necessarily attending the games.

For one, fans can attend Final Four Fan Fest at the Minneapolis Convention Center from April 5 through Monday, April 8. There, fans can participate in basketball activities, youth clinics, take photos, seek autographs and more. It’s free for kids under 12.

Also taking place on the 5th is Final Four Friday, where fans can watch the Final Four teams practice and watch a College All-Star Game.

Other events include a dribble featuring thousands of dribbling kids heading into Fan Fest, a music series and a tailgate.

“The NCAA takes great pride in creating memories of a lifetime for the student-athletes, their families and the Final Four host cities,” said Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball. “Four lucky teams and their fan bases are going to flock to the Midwest and enjoy the Final Four in Minneapolis. We couldn’t be more excited to bring the magic of the Final Four to Minnesota and these terrific communities.”

Kat Mortenson, president and CEO of the 2019 NCAA Final Four Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee added, “You can feel the excitement building. It has been 18 years since the Men’s Final Four was last hosted in Minneapolis and 68 years since we first hosted a Final Four in 1951 at Williams Arena. Our region has changed and grown along with the tournament and the ‘something for everyone’ programming that surrounds a Final Four. We are well prepared to host this historic event in Minneapolis once again, leaving a legacy of impact across our state and creating memories of a lifetime.”