Mayor Alvin Brown estimates a $12 million dollar economic impact for Jacksonville when the city hosts the second and third rounds of the 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

The city hosted the event at the Veterans Memorial Arena in 2006 and 2010 for an estimated economic of about $12 million each, according to the Mayor’s Office.

“The rest of America and the world are finding out that Jacksonville is a world class destination,” Mayor Brown said.

The city was part of 53 others which put in bids to host the tournament.

“And we’re one of those cities…I mean that makes you feel proud that we’re doing something right,” said Jacksonville Executive Director Sports and Entertainment Alan Verlander.

He agreed with Mayor Brown, saying it’ll will further Jacksonville’s reputation as a major sports city.

Verlander gave credit to those who helped build the new Veterans Memorial Arena after The Coliseum was demolished in 2003.

“You know, we couldn’t be playing this in the old Veterans Memorial Coliseum,” he said.  “So the fact that we have a facility that’s first class…It’s a tribute to everybody that’s kind of paved the way to make Jacksonville and take it where it is.”

He mentioned one improvement the city can make from hosting in 2010.

“Our scoreboard was faulty…so we put in a brand new scoreboard,” Verlander said.

Mayor Brown says he’s committed to making Jacksonville a destination for major sporting events.  He gave four examples: The city just won the rights to host the 2013 Davis Cup matches between the U.S. and Brazil at the Veterans Memorial Arena.   In May, about 45,000 fans showed up to watch the U.S. Men’s soccer team take on Scotland.  

This past Friday, the city hosted the Navy Marine Corps Classic between the Georgetown Hoyas the Florida Gators aboard the USS Bataan. And every year, hundreds of thousands of fans show up for the Florida-Georgia football game.

The Mayor’s Office says Jacksonville University will serve as the host institution as it did back in 2006 and 2012.

“We are extremely excited on behalf of the University to be selected to host an event of this magnitude,” JU Director of Athletics Brad Edwards said in a news release.  “It brings tremendous visibility for not only Jacksonville University, but the City of Jacksonville as well.”

“What this also is, is a testimony to the hard work, the teamwork, that’s gone in on behalf of all those that have come together to put this bid together,” Edwards said at Monday’s announcement.

As an alumnus of JU, Mayor Brown said it would be great if the school made it into the tournament.

Alan Verlander was formerly athletics director at Jacksonville University, and his staff teamed with the university and Visit Jacksonville in the application to the NCAA.