Arch Madness – Day One

And So It Begins

(St. Louis, MO) – Many of us feared this day would never come. How could our cherished Missouri Valley Conference Tournament get played? How much of the season would they play before or IF this tournament could be played?

Doug Elgin and the amazing MVC staff worked closely with the coaches and athletic directors and made it all happen, and here we are at ARCH MADNESS! The Valley was the only Division 1 conference to play every one of its league games. There is no better administrator in college sports than Doug Elgin.

We were here one year ago and hearing rumors of a virus and possible implications related to the NCAA Tournament, but we had no idea. Our lives all changed, one week later.

What’s It Like?

There are less media members, we’re wearing masks, we’re no where near the court and we can’t interact with players, coaches or most of the Valley personnel. But we are here! Games will be played tonight, we’ll blame referees and second guess the coaches, but we are here!

There will be no ‘media meal’ where we exchange stories, information and tell very old jokes, but we’re about ten feet from one another and we can wave, fist bump and enjoy this league we love and this event we cherish.

There will be limited fans, but there will be some fans and Arch Madness will go on.

Defending Titles – Making Memories

Bradley begins the defense of its two titles in today’s very first game. Brian Wardle’s team has faced numerous challenges. Who hasn’t? From injuries to suspensions the Braves enter Thursday’s contest with Southern Illinois with just eight players and that customary ‘chip on their shoulder’.

Loyola is the conference champion for the third time in four years, but they’ve prevailed in St. Louis once. LUC desperately wants to win this tournament to secure a favorable NCAA Tournament seed. Did I say NCAA Tournament? It DOES appear we’ll have one!

Arch Madness is the poster child for what college basketball is about. The cliche of playing for the name on the front of the jersey is a Valley truth.

Final Curtain

It’s hard to believe this is the 31st and final Arch Madness event for Commissioner Elgin. This generous, professional, friendly, competitive and kind man is retiring at the end of this school year. What we know of Arch Madness has largely been the dream and passion of Doug Elgin. He and his team of Jack Watkins, Mike Kern and until recently Joe Mitch gave birth to this grand experiment.

Like giving birth, they also had to raise that little infant into the amazing entity that it is.

Doug, we can’t thank you enough for what you’ve given to basketball fans, media members and our city. We are here!

Arch Madness is here. It’s a little different but it is HERE!