Local resident Gary McCans featured in USA TODAY SPORTS article on First Four NCAA Tourney at the UD Sports

Gary McCans. Photo: USA Today

There was a great article featuring lots of quotes from Gary McCans, who has seen 109 NCAA Basketball games at the UD Arena since it was built, in the USA Today last week ahead of the First Four play in games at UD Arena. Gary and his wife Rita (Mary Kay Sales Director) have lived in Darke County since 1977 and they have 2 children and 4 grandchildren, who also live in Darke County: David McCans, Customer Service Sales with Crown (Jennie Lange McCans, 3rd Grade Teacher Arcanum), Meghan/12 and Matthew/8. Kristin (McCans) Fee, Executive Director of Missional Operations at EUM Church (Eric Fee, Owner of BraundPope Funeral Home), Grace/15 and Ethan/13.

Gary, originally from Philadelphia, PA, graduated from the University of Dayton Business School (Marketing/Economics) in l968 and was hired by the University the same year, when the Ticket Office was in the Fieldhouse on Campus. He has worn many hats in the last 47 years, all surrounding sports at the UD Arena since his first position at 21. Gary was hired as the first Ticket Manager at the UD Sports Arena, then became Director of Marketing and Promotions, and then Director of Season Tickets and Special Events, and next Director of Premium Seating and Promotions.

The University of Dayton Sports Arena has continually stayed visionary and proactive with all of his positions. His present, newly created, pre-retirement 9-month position is Director of Event Services with a staff of 150 people and he also works closely with the NCAA. We are proud to have Gary and his family as part of our growing, vibrant and very special Darke County Community.