Big East Announcement Already Generating Buzz

Convention and Visitors Bureau says name recognition alone is a big win.

By Lindsey Theis

CREATED Mar. 19, 2013

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  • Convention and Visitors Bureau says name recognition alone is a big win. Video by kmtv.com

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Omaha, NE - Fans know the expected announcement of the Big East Conference Wednesday morning is a step-up for Creighton. Some in Omaha think it's a big win for the metro area too.

"It's a great opportunity to grow demand and awareness in markets that we can't afford to advertise in, we don't have the budget for. We're talking Chicago, D.C., Cincinnati, Indianapolis," says Deborah Ward with the Convention and Visitors Bureau .

The Jays will play such power houses as Georgetown in Washington D.C., St. John's in New York City and Villanova in Philadelphia. Games however will be farther away.

"I think it's a good thing. We're going to get matched up with some new schools that are more in line with what Creighton looks for in students, and what the school mission outlook is," student Dillon Roost said.

"I think it's going to be pretty fun because it'll just be a bigger scene. And student tickets are free so that's nice, it's just getting there that's going to be the thing, but that's pretty easy," said student Ann Marie Stonikas.

Ward says fans from other Big East schools would probably spend big bucks here when they come to Omaha for their away games. She said it's too early to predict an economic impact but from hotels to restaurants, it's expected to be a huge cash impact.