Tampa has Channelside, an exciting mixed use development of condos, shops and restaurants; Buffalo has Canalside, a newly dug slip, gravel strewn empty lots and two eyesores awaiting demolition. Tampa has 80 degrees in March, Buffalo has 40 degrees. Tampa has sunshine, Buffalo has clouds. Tampa has sex appeal and star power; Buffalo is, well… a rust belt city in the northeast.

And take a lesson, NCAA, because when it comes to putting on an event like a basketball subregional, Tampa can’t hold a candle to Buffalo!

This past weekend we got to experience one of the most fun sports experiences of all - two days and six games of basketball in the NCAA tournament. Survive and advance… the struggle between the country’s elite and the upstarts from the small conferences… One Shining Moment and games that sear memories into one’s mind forever. We were not disappointed - the Tampa games offered upsets, shattered records, overtimes, buzzer beaters and outcomes that had the whole country riveted.

But as for the event itself, there was little buzz on the streets of Tampa. Check out the photo above. Thousands of empty seats in the arena, here in a market that is 2 1/2 times the size of Buffalo. As we drove around the city, we saw little of billboards, banners on the poles, signs in restaurant windows, or anything to show that there was an event of this magnitude happening in town.

When the NCAA’s came to Buffalo in 2000, 2004 and again in 2007, Buffalo put its best face on to welcome the schools, their fans and supporters, and other visitors to our town. Hospitality tents, rail maps, restaurant and nightlife guides were widely available. Events were set up on the off day between games. Restaurants and eateries put on extra staff to accommodate the throngs of fans. Street poles were decorated with banners. Host hotels went the extra mile to make the visiting teams feel special and welcomed. The Buffalo organizing committee, including host schools Canisius and Niagara, the Sabres and HSBC Arena staffs, and local civic leaders made it happen to make our event one of the best anywhere.

Best of all, Buffalo fans responded each time by snapping up all available tickets. For each tournament in Buffalo, the streets of downtown and the businesses were packed with enthusiastic fans and the streets were teeming with people. We received high marks from everyone involved as to how great the entire event was in Buffalo.

The NCAA subregionals return to Buffalo in 2010, and by then hopefully the Inner Harbor project will be in the full throes of progress and construction. If things go the way they have in the past three events, we will once again show the nation that Buffalo shines above all the rest.

So take that Tampa Bay!

And Buffalo… hold your heads up high! We can go dancin’ at the NCAA’s with the best of them!

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