Big Ten tourney brings big crowds

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Daniel Miller
Edited by Lindsay Eckert

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WISH) - Thousands of basketball fans are in town this weekend to cheer on their team in the Men's Big Ten Tournament.

If you've traveled downtown you may have noticed a sign the tournament is in town.

Step inside Scotty's Brewhouse next to Conseco Fieldhouse, you'll find fans cheering for Purdue.

Scotty's developed a working relationship with Purdue's Alumni Association last year.

Brian Zajac says that relationship helps business.

Sure we're busy Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights, but it really is an opportunity for us to capture that extra revenue that we otherwise may not have," said Zaja

It also helps when your team is in the big game.

"It's been a great week and obviously a great weekend when you have teams like Michigan State, Ohio State," said Zajac. "They are big time programs, they are highly ranked and they travel well."

On Saturday, the Ohio State University Band showed up at Champps. The Circle Centre Sports Bar & Restaurant has hosted the Buckeyes for several years.

This weekend, hundreds of fans, including the school's mascot, Brutus, cheered on the team.

"It definitely helps out; people know us," said Chris Garcia

Garcia is the General Manager of Champps downtown. He said you can't compare other weekends when the Big Ten Tournament is in town.

"We actually have a really good weekend; it's not just the sales, but it's the fun and the camaraderie between everybody that comes to town," Garcia said.

Whether you're a Buckeye or a Boilermaker and no matter who you're cheering for, there's one thing for sure, businesses come out a winner.

"I think it does great for Indianapolis for the restaurant business basically everything downtown seems to thrive for events like these," Zajac said.

There is a restaurant or bar designated for fans of every big ten team. They are mapped out for you on our sports page at wishtv.com. There you'll also find a big ten bracket.