Saint Louis University Athletic Director Chris May announced on Sept. 21 that SLU will be hosting the NCAA 2012 Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional finals. The games will be played Friday, March 23, and Sunday, March 25, 2012, at the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis. This means that both the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds will be played in the Gateway City.

“The selection of Saint Louis University as tournament host and the Edward Jones Dome as the venue speaks to the confidence the NCAA has in the city to host first-class events,” May said during a press conference hosted by the school and the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. “Saint Louis University is proud to partner with all members of the local community and welcomes this opportunity to conduct a first-class NCAA Tournament event in 2012.”

Previously, the Missouri Valley Conference has hosted NCAA events in St. Louis. The 2012 Midwest Regionals will mark the 15th time St. Louis has hosted either a men’s or women’s NCAA basketball tournament, including five Final Fours. Most recently, the 2009 Women’s Final Four was held in St. Louis.

The 2012 tournament is expected to generate more than $10 million in direct spending for the St. Louis region.

This will be SLU’s first experience hosting a men’s basketball tournament. In 2006, the Billikens hosted the national championship for men’s soccer. May indicated in early 2009 that the campus is prepared to host the first round of the Volleyball NCAA tournament should SLU reach the tournament.