Tulsa Hosting Leg Of 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Tourney.

Tulsa will host a 2011 NCAA First-Second Round Division 1 Men's Basketball tournament at the BOK Center.

The announcement was made Monday by the Tulsa Sports Commission and the University of Tulsa.

Those two groups submitted a bid in May and then hosted a site visit in August.  About 70 cities submitted bids, according to the NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball committee.

"Tulsa's selection by the NCAA is a major win for us and reinforces the quality reputation that our community has achieved in recent years," said Mike Dodson, executive director of the sports commission.

The estimated economic impact is $4 million to $6 million. The last time Tulsa hosted a similar tournament was in 1985.

“Being granted this tournament is another huge accomplishment to add to the BOK Center and the City of Tulsa’s resume,” said John Bolton, BOK Center’s general manager.  “The goal has always been to bring top-notch events to Tulsa, not only with concerts, but also sporting events… together with the Sports Commission, we were able to do that once again.”

Added TU's athletic director Bubba Cunningham, “This is exciting news for the City of Tulsa and the University of Tulsa ...The visibility the city and the university will receive is immeasurable.”

The Tulsa Sports Commission, the University of Tulsa and the BOK Center will host the men and women’s Conference USA Basketball Championships March 8-13, 2010.