Earl Richardson/Journal-World PhotoDAYTON, OHIO ? Thousands of college students will descend this month on the warm, sandy beaches of Daytona Beach, Fla., for spring break.
What a difference one letter can make.
In Dayton minus the “a” Saturday’s high temperature was in the lower 30s, with gray skies that occasionally spat a snowflake at the city.
With a 99-75 victory over Cal State Northridge under their belts from Friday, Kansas University Jayhawk fans were waiting Saturday for the team’s second-round NCAA Tournament game at 11:10 a.m. CST today.
That left fans wondering how to kill time in Dayton.
Earl Richardson/Journal-World PhotoAs the home of airplane pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright, Dayton bills itself as the “Birthplace of Aviation.” Apparently it wasn’t the birthplace of tourism.
At least not for Eric Axcell, a KU sophomore who was in his hotel lobby asking for directions to the nearest movie theater.
“We’ll probably go watch a game in a sports bar,” Axcell said. “I don’t think there’s much to do around here.”
Jacquie Powell, president and CEO of the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau, would disagree. She said the tourism industry is strong in Dayton.
“It’s a fantastic place to visit,” she said. “We have fantastic people here. And we’re basketball enthusiasts.”
But she did admit that many of Dayton’s tourists just happen to be driving through town on Interstate 70 or I-75, as opposed to coming specifically to see the sights of Dayton.
Dayton’s biggest attraction is the United States Air Force Museum, which draws more than 1 million visitors each year. It houses more than 300 airplanes and other memorabilia, including the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, an SR-71 Blackbird and the Apollo 15 space capsule.
That was where Al and Cathy Ramirez of Bonner Springs, Kan., were Friday before the Jayhawks’ game. They figured they should take in the Dayton sights, as they had in Memphis, Tenn., four years ago at the NCAA Tournament.
“We’ll find something to do,” said Al Ramirez, a former Kansas state legislator.
Other Dayton attractions include the Wright Cycle Company Building (where the aviators built bicycles), an art museum, and a carillon bell tower that bears a striking resemblance to the campanile at KU.
Dayton’s weather hasn’t been a popular attraction. Saturday’s temperature was an average of more than 20 degrees cooler than those forecast in the seven other cities hosting first-round NCAA games.
And the temperature approached 70 on Saturday in San Antonio, Tex., the Jayhawks’ destination if they win today.
“We were hoping for a warmer spot,” said pep band member Sarah Fox.
But, she added with a smile: “If we win, we’ll get to go to San Antonio.”
San Antonio also was a popular topic with Marge Idol of Robinson, Kan., who was in the team hotel lobby with Ann Reece of Webb City, Mo., which is near Joplin. They couldn’t even track down a St. Patrick’s Day parade to watch in Dayton.
At least Dayton was close enough to drive to, they figured.
“We’ve eaten and visited with friends,” Idol said. “We’re going to go to the mall. And the guys are going to watch the games on TV.”
