CommunityBuzz! - NCAA Final Four in New Orleans?

Hey Gang,

Wondering if anyone is going to be in New Orleans for the 2003 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament?

Al and I have tickets and I am looking forward to my second Final Four... ironically, both in New Orleans.

William

With great airfares to MSY Friends and myself will definantl be going. Great excuse for a trip to New Orleans

i have no idea when the final four is and frankly I wouldn't have much interest in the game but since I live in NOLA I am always up for meeting people for dinner in my home town.

I will be in New Orleans April 4 - April 8, 2003.

The tournament games are on April 5 and April 7.

William

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wharvey:
Wondering if anyone is going to be in New Orleans for the 2003 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament</font>

D*mn- does the fact it's in New Orleans mean that Carolina is going to win again? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I prefer Indianapolis, and Minneapolis as Final 4 locations, myself. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I prefer the location to be wherever I can win a ticket in the Lottery!!!

Seems like that is only New Orleans unfortunately!

William

Congrats on getting the tix!

I've never entered the lottery- do you enter every year?

The only final 4 I've been to is Minneapolis last year- read online that tickets were plentiful for the final, flew to MSP and bought a ticket that afternoon (in the Maryland student section) for what I considered to be a reasonable price, and went to the final. Flew out the next a.m. A perfect 24 hour trip!

It's the NCAA collegiate basketball tournament finals, prncess674!

http://www.hoopstickets.net/final_four_tickets.html

http://www.atlastravelweb.com/finalfour.shtml

http://www.bigeasy.com/sports/ncaa.shtml

Never mind, I misread something

[This message has been edited by LastClass (edited 10-25-2002).]

I will be at the Final Four with the same group of guys for the 9th year in a row.

I'll be in New Orleans April 3rd to 8th.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by landspeed:


I prefer Indianapolis, and Minneapolis as Final 4 locations, myself. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Yah, Landspeed! agreed, I had a great FF in MSP one year and also enjoyed another one in Indy a few years later, much better than other FF's I have visited. And I completely agree that those venues are completely worthy of hosting the show.

No, I won't be going to any this year tho.

Hope you all have great game! I'll be shooting the pill in my driveway on yer behalf.

Gawd, can I type any more poorly???

[This message has been edited by gregseattle (edited 10-25-2002).]

Of all the final fours I've attended; the worst (not from a game; but from a having fun in the city perspective) was MSP; that place was cold; wet; the bar selection to party in was limited (as compared to other Final 4 Cities; granted IND was no hotbed of fun but at least they set up tents in one area to party in); The hotels were too spread out more than other final four cities; and did I say it was COLD!!!

New Orleans and SAT are by far and away the best cities for a Final Four; Seattle was great but since the KingDome was torn down; no more fun there http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by landspeed:
D*mn- does the fact it's in New Orleans mean that Carolina is going to win again? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I prefer Indianapolis, and Minneapolis as Final 4 locations, myself. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

</font>

It's a no go for me.

I can't win the lottery and have no ticket connections.

If anyone has to back out......let me know.

Also, if anyone has 2 extra tickets to ANY Duke home game (like that's possible) let me know - we could work something out. My nephew is turning 21 and it would be a great present. He bleeds blue.

What about the Pac 10 Tournament just before the NCAA? We had several flyertalkers out for that one last year. It's at Staples again this year.

Assuming the Men of Troy qualify (only the top 8 teams qualify for the Pac 10 tourney) I'll be there!!!!

That was a blast last year with special thanks to Stimpy and AuH2O

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by stimpy:
What about the Pac 10 Tournament just before the NCAA? We had several flyertalkers out for that one last year. It's at Staples again this year.</font>

I hope you have booked your rooms or are willing to pay quite a bit or stay outside the city

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wharvey:
Hey Gang,

Wondering if anyone is going to be in New Orleans for the 2003 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament?

Al and I have tickets and I am looking forward to my second Final Four... ironically, both in New Orleans.

William</font>

TH,

Thanks for the concern... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

We will be staying on a Hilton Award Stay.

The rates were so high... I feel lucky getting an award stay for those dates.

William

Did you already get an award stay? at which hotel??

If so you are extremely lucky.. good job

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wharvey:
TH,

Thanks for the concern... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

We will be staying on a Hilton Award Stay.

The rates were so high... I feel lucky getting an award stay for those dates.

William</font>

Only if my school is playing in it.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by landspeed:
D*mn- does the fact it's in New Orleans mean that Carolina is going to win again? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
</font>

In the words of Ohio State, when talking fondly of Michigan, "SCREW THE (Baby) BLUE!!!
Oh, BTW, even though I loved most of the four years I lived in Charlotte and the Final Four that one year, my heart is still in Tucson. Go Cats. U of A all the way to Bourbon Street.

Oh, even though I don't have a ticket and probably will not get one, still count me in and keep me posted!

Just got my plane tix to MSY (4/2 - 4/8)

Still working the lodging thing; I have a room at the Hampton Inn in Metarie but now we are scrounging the hotel sites for a place in the city.

For those of you attending; Where are y'all staying?

I had 2 tix but gave them to my brother in-law.

Given the size of the dome, I think the seats are in Arkansas.

Regardless, still a great event in a great city.

So, who all will be at the Final Four?

William

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TrojanHorse:
Still working the lodging thing; I have a room at the Hampton Inn in Metarie but now we are scrounging the hotel sites for a place in the city.</font>

Since you are a SPG platinum I assume you have some SPG points. I've an award stay 04/06-04/08 at the W New Orleans. Too bad I don't have any tickets. I never did this before but I assume I can transfer my reservation to you so points will be credit back to my account and then charge back from yours. Better do a 3-way conference with a Platinum Concierge. If you want to give it a try, shoot me an email. I'll be canceling my reservation soon unless I can find reasonable priced ticket.

Thanks for the offer OPLover but since I posted that; I was able to get into the HGI at a decent rate. I put myself on the wait lists at all the hotels I was interested in and they called back with a good rate. Unless another place calls back with a better deal; I think I will keep this one. I don't think the hotels are selling as many rooms as they had hoped as browsing the internet is showing some more availability than I had previously found.

So who all will be here and what days?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by OnePassLover:
Since you are a SPG platinum I assume you have some SPG points. I've an award stay 04/06-04/08 at the W New Orleans. Too bad I don't have any tickets. I never did this before but I assume I can transfer my reservation to you so points will be credit back to my account and then charge back from yours. Better do a 3-way conference with a Platinum Concierge. If you want to give it a try, shoot me an email. I'll be canceling my reservation soon unless I can find reasonable priced ticket.</font>

Just in case someone was looking for something to do on Sunday. These are some cool local bands and many of the restaurants they have been advertising are really quite good. I would assume the food will be set up similar to JazzFest in that you can buy small servings of some of the best local cuisines.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Dasani Fest - - a free festival of music, food, art & fun Sunday, April 6th, 12p til 7p at Woldenberg Riverfront Park!

Live music from The Topcats, Wiseguys, Bag of Donuts and of course, Cowboy Mouth!

Sample signature dishes from New Orleans' finest restaurants!

Plus, check out professional and up-and-coming artists at the Rising Stars Art Gallery!</font>

I will ne NO from 4/5 - 4/8 .. still working out details on where I'm going to stay. Have a res at the airport Hilton but would like to try to find something in the downtown / french qtr area.

I'll be at the HGI by the CC and will check my email & FT daily.. if anyone wants to hook up; send me a note or leave a note here. I'll be with a bunch of non FT friends but they do like to drink http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

hope to see someone down there

I am really not familiar with when the games are being played if someone would like to announce a day and time I can name a good place to meet for dinner and/or drinks.

Semi's Sat starting at 5:07 PM local time and will run till roughly 11 p.m.; I'll want to be at the dome by 3 PM though

championship

Monday night tipoff at 8:18 p.m. local time; I'll be at the dome around 6 PM

otherwise, its Party time

How about lunch on Sunday at Court of Two Sisters? The atmosphere is casual and the food is good. I called and enquired about reservations and they could seat a party of 6 at 2pm. This would allow those who overindulged plenty of time to sleep in.

I would need to confirm the reservation very soon so if anyone is interested please let me know.

http://www.courtoftwosisters.com/
click on Jazz Brunch

prncess,

Thanks for the offer... this would be great.

Count me and my partner Al in this.

I will confirm with you via email also.

William

anyone else interested? I would like to have a few more takers. There is no magic number at 6 if we need more space I can get a bigger table but I had to play hypotheticals with the hostess because I didn't know how big or small the party would be. Another possibility is Breakfast at Brennans but this would require getting a bit more dressy.

Not sure yet if I can do it but will post on this thread by Sat

I may be going to MS for the day; not sure yet and won't know till Friday or Sat.

I would like to attend if in town on Sunday though

Besides I'd like to meet Wharvey

Are you sure about that TH? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Not sure meeting me is all that special! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

William

Enjoy your DO, and root for the Hoop Horns!

Trojan Horse,

If you were to come would it just be you or would you be bringing your crew. I am going to go ahead and make a reservation. We can always move to a smaller table if you decide you won't be coming but they won't move us to a bigger table. I have had this problem in the past and no from experience.

At this point I am tentative... hoping I can make it.

Most likely alone; wouldn't want to scare all you guys off and get banned from FT do's due to my non FT friends; after last night that would be a highly likely scenario

ohhh these nights are way too long

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by prncess674:
Trojan Horse,

If you were to come would it just be you or would you be bringing your crew. I am going to go ahead and make a reservation. We can always move to a smaller table if you decide you won't be coming but they won't move us to a bigger table. I have had this problem in the past and no from experience.

</font>