Local

CIAA tournament sees increased ticket sales

CHARLOTTE — For the past two years organizers of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association have been encouraging fans to fill up tournament seats.

Commissioner Jacquie Carpenter says she's already noticed a slight increase in ticket sales compared to last year's tournament.

"We've got a lot of fans doing walk-ups this week. Normally we don't allow that, you have to buy a book, but because we want to get more locals involved and more people in the building we've provided that opportunity," said Carpenter.

On Saturday fans told Tina Terry they hope that small spike is enough to keep the tournament in Charlotte next year.

"I think it should be where the CIAA was born and bred, that's right here in North Carolina...Charlotte, North Carolina," one fan said.

Earlier this week Eyewitness News reported the tournament was preparing to take bids from other cities, like Atlanta and Raleigh, in hopes of getting more direct financial support and drawing larger crowds.

Carpenter says those plans have not changed.

"All I know is we're going to do the best we can to make the best decisions for our students and member institutions," said Carpenter.