Norfolk hopes to host 2009 MEAC tourneys

City officials say they plan to aggressively court the 2009 MEAC men's and women's basketball tournaments, which are seeking a new home after Raleigh, N.C., declined to renew its contract with the league.

Norfolk has bid to host the tournaments twice previously; Mayor Paul Fraim said Wednesday that the city would do so again. Although the MEAC hasn't officially told the city it is seeking bids, he said he asked John Rhamstine, director of the city's cultural facilities, to begin preparing one Wednesday.

MEAC commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said the league is seeking bids and that "information is going out as we speak" to prospective cities, including Norfolk. "I think Norfolk is a tremendous city, a very progressive city," he said. "We look forward to their bid."

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