March Madness History
The first NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament started in 1939, and it has been held every year since. In 1939, the Oregon Ducks went 29-5 on the season and beat Ohio State 46-33 to win the national title in the first NCAA tournament, which featured just eight teams. March Madness was first used to refer to basketball by an Illinois high school official, Henry V. Porter, in 1939, but the term didn’t find its way to the NCAA tournament until CBS broadcaster Brent Musburger (who used to be a sportswriter in Chicago) used it during coverage of the 1982 tournament. The term has been synonymous with the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament ever since. The tournament traditionally follows the highest seeds, numbers 1-8, taking on the lowest seeds, numbers 9-16. For example, the number 1 seed takes on the number 16 seed in the regional round, the 2nd seed takes on the 15th, and so on. Winning teams move on to the next round while losing teams are eliminated from the competition and must wait until 2020 for another shot at championship success. This tournament format leaves plenty of potential for an underdog to climb the ranks and steal a regional win.
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is committed to leaving a legacy for all communities that host a championship. Working alongside the Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee, the NCAA will organize youth programs, sustainability programs and upgrade a local park through its Legacy Restoration project. During this year’s Final Four, the NCAA has several events that will keep the more than 90,000 fans, expected to attend, entertained. Beginning April 5th, fans can take part in the Final Four Fest at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It will feature interactive basketball activities, clinics, and autograph sessions.
March Madness Breakdown:
Selection Sunday– March 17th
After Selection Sunday (March 17) and the First Four games (March 19-20), the action gets rolling with the First and Second Round games in the following cities:
- Dayton, OH
- San Jose, CA
- Columbus, OH
- Columbia, SC
- Tulsa, OK
- Hartford, CT
- Jacksonville, FL
- Des Moines, IA
- Salt Lake City, UT
The stakes only get higher as the tournament progresses towards the Sweet 16 and Elite 8:
- South Regional in Louisville, KY (March 28 & 30)
- West Regional in Anaheim, CA (March 28 & 30)
- East Regional in Washington, D.C. (March 29 & 31)
- Midwest Regional in Kansas City, MO (March 29 & 31)
The Men’s Final Four playoffs take place at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota from April 6 - 8, 2019, while the Women's Final Four is held at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, from April 5 - 7, 2019. You never know which teams will come out on top and make it through to the Final Four in Minneapolis, MN. When you arrange charter flights to March Madness with Trinity Aviation Group, it doesn’t matter. We will coordinate last-minute charter flights to get you courtside quickly and comfortably. Through our trusted network of air charter operators across the United States (and beyond), we can source the most appropriate aircraft at competitive private jet charter rates, no matter where you’re flying to, or where you're departing from commercial flights coming to the Alamo City arrive through Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). However, private jet travelers have several other airport options at their disposal. The St. Paul Downtown Airport, (STP), Crystal Airport (MIC), and Anoka Country-Blaine Airport (ANE) are great private jet charter options and located within driving distance to the city.
If you truly want to stay in all-star style, we recommend any of the luxury accommodations:
- Hotel Ivy
- The Grand Hotel Minneapolis
- The W Minneapolis - The Foshay
- Hewing Hotel
- Lowes Minneapolis Hotel
No matter which team you’re backing, get your NCAA tickets and charter a jet to experience first-hand, the electrifying March Madness atmosphere. Benefit from shorter boarding times, a spacious private or business jet, and the luxurious comfort on your journey to what is set to be the most exciting basketball tournament of the year. Visit our website to get a quote or to learn more information about our private jet charter experience.
Coming down with March Madness before the big dance may sound like an excuse to skip prom, but it actually describes our nationwide obsession with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Each year, basketball fever grips the U.S. as the best college teams prepare to compete in the annual March Madness tournament. A total of 68 NCAA college basketball teams share a dream of playing for a national championship on April 8 in Minneapolis, MN. But everything in the weeks leading up to it must go according to script. No matter which team you follow, where the action takes you, or if your bracket busts, Trinity Aviation Group will make sure you’re courtside by arranging your charter flights to March Madness. This highly-anticipated tournament pits the top 68 men’s and 64 women’s teams from across the country against each other in single-elimination matches. 14 venues across the US will host March Madness games, and Trinity Aviation Group is here to coordinate a private jet charter that suits the size of your travel party, gives you access to a broad range of airports and offers the in-flight amenities you prefer.
