Thousands In Town As Tourney Gets Underway
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Madness is in full swing.
Games are going on all over the country.
Here at home, Consol Energy Center is rocking and there have already been a couple of big upsets and close calls.
Members of the Butler University dance team are in town to cheer on their Bulldogs. It's their first visit to Pittsburgh and they're loving the 'Burgh experience.
"We went to Pamela's this morning for breakfast," said Molly McCoughlin of Indianapolis, Indiana. "Really fun. We actually got in last night, we came through the tunnel and that's a beautiful view of the city. Two of us went for a run this morning down by the river, it was great."
And this is the story that will be told by thousands of people who have come to town. You can't put a price tag on it, but here's something you can put a number on:
"We got just as busy for Garth Brooks as we did for the NCAA," said Katie Nord with Blue Line Grille. "We love it. All these customers are bringing in new kids, families, everyone."
It's a bonanza for places like the Blue Line Grille, since the NCAA prohibits alcohol sales at the arena. Within hours, basketball fans spent $10,000 there.
"We are running out of booze," said Nord. "Our general manager left to go to the liquor store. We didn't expect to run out of booze, 'cause I guess it's dry over at Consol, but we're supplying, so come on down!"
Local basketball fans are loving it, too.
"It brings people from out of town," said Dan Krauth of Mt. Lebanon. "It's a great marketing event for clients. It's just a great all around event."
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