This is the first time one school has hosted both tournaments, although the city of Bismarck last year hosted the two events at the same time at Bismarck State College and at the United Tribes Technical College.
"We wanted the tournament badly for the home games," WSC Athletic Director and head men's basketball coach Hunter Berg said. "We just tried to make it a little more than the normal Mon-Dak conference tournament."
Along with featuring 24 games in three days, the joint event this year also includes a three-point shootout, a slam dunk contest and all-tournament teams are being selected.
"Most of our conference schools like the tournament, but there were a couple of obstacles that came with the way it was run prior to this year," Berg said. He points to the financial savings that results for the school in traveling to just one location with both of their teams, opposed to the previous approach of sending teams in opposite directions.
"We're not the only school that has games on the radio. Now the radio guy doesn't have to worry as much about picking the men's tournament or the women's tournament," he added.
How to get all the games played in 72 hours took some serious conversation.
"We looked at a couple of different options. We're one of the few schools that has two gyms on campus," he said. "That allowed us to have it in the same building."
Berg said the conference is comfortable playing in the old WSC gym, along with the "The Well," which is just in its sixth season and is one of the premier venues in the conference. Having such a new facility "doesn't hurt" in proposing to host both events, Berg added.
Planning for the event began a couple of years ago when Berg made hotel reservations for the schools.
"That was crucial. We have told them to be very prepared and organized when they eat and calling ahead," Berg said in acknowledging the staffing challenges found at local restaurants.
As usual, Berg received a tremendous response when going into the community for tourney sponsors. The primary sponsor is 4 Bears Casino and Lodge. The shooting contest is called the "Mountrail-Williams/Burke-Devide Electric Cooperatives "Light it Up" Three-Point Shootout. The Williston Tae Kwon Do and Judo Academy is sponsoring the "Throw 'em Down" Slam Dunk Contest.
The shootout is at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, in The Well, and is immediately followed by the slam dunk event.
"The Williston Convention and Visitors Bureau was happy to hear we would be bringing a lot of people for three days," said Berg of the approximate 200 athletes alone who are coming here.
WSC is using the option of playing in the final two games of the day during all three days. The Teton women open against MSU-Bottineau on Thursday at 6 p.m., with the men's game following 20 minutes after the conclusion of the women's contest.
"The whole tournament is bracketed. Seeding for the tourney is always based on the previous season's regular-season finish," Berg said.
That means Miles City Community College is the women's top seed, while Lake Region Community College is the men's top seed. WSC is seeded third in both tournaments.
"I'm looking forward to it," Berg said of the joint tourneys. "It's going to be busier than blazes, but it will be fun. We want to do a good job. We want to continue to do this."
Most of the planning has been done by the WSC Athletic Department staff, although he does have a committee that helps organize staff needed for the games, Berg said.
All passes also are good for the two tournaments as no special ticketing is required.
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