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    Your go-to guide to Cleveland, NCAA host city


    Cleveland is sounding the call: The NCAAs are coming, the NCAAs are coming!

    Cleveland will be hosting the 2018 NCAA Wrestling Championships twice this year. First, the Division III championships will take place Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10 ... then, the following weekend, the Division I Championships will come to town, starting Thursday, March 15 and finishing Saturday night, March 17.

    It's been two decades since Cleveland last hosted the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. So InterMat thought it would be helpful to put together some information on the host city ... so you can get the most out of your trip, and experience some of the host city's most popular attractions.

    Getting there

    Cleveland is located on Lake Erie in northeast Ohio, where I-90, I-80, I-77 and I-71 converge. It's just off the east-west Ohio Turnpike -- I-80 -- which links New York City and the eastern U.S., and Chicago and points west. Ohio's second-largest city is served by two major commercial airports -- Cleveland Hopkins, which is about 20 minutes southwest of downtown, and Akron-Canton, about an hour south of the city. If you fly into Hopkins, you can use the RTA Red Line -- "the Rapid" -- to take you from the airport to the Tower City station in the heart of downtown in minutes for only $2.50.

    Where you'll find the mat action

    The two national mat championships will be held at two different venues, both in downtown Cleveland.

    The NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships will be held at Public Auditorium at 500 Lakeside Avenue on the north side of downtown. This ornate, beautifully restored 1920s facility, which seats approximately 10,000, has hosted a number of major amateur wrestling events over the years.

    The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will take place at Quicken Loans Arena

    The Division I Wrestling Championships will take place at Quicken Loans Arena, One Center Court, just south of Public Square, the center of downtown Cleveland. Built in 1994, "the Q" is home to the Cleveland Cavaliers and was the site of the 2016 Republican National Convention. This state-of-the-art facility seats approximately 20,600 spectators. (In case you were wondering, the 1998 NCAA Division I Championships were held at Wolstein Center on the campus of Cleveland State University, on the eastern edge of downtown.)

    Both facilities are a short distance from major hotels, bars, restaurants, and other attractions. Downtown Cleveland is very walk-able; RTA offers a choice of three unique trolley routes which provide quick, free access to different portions of downtown Cleveland.

    Fan Fest during 2018 NCAA Div. I Championships

    In recent years, NCAA Fan Fest has become a go-to event coinciding with the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. This year is no different. The 2018 NCAA Fan Fest will be held March 15-17 at Hall A of the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland at 300 Lakeside Avenue, a short walk from Quicken Loans Arena and the D1 championships. Fan Fest features a number of attractions, including Team USA senior-level practice sessions, autograph sessions, an NWCA (National Wrestling Coaches Association) coaching event, and, of course, the classic WIN Magazine Memorabilia Show ... along with food and drink options. It's a great way to spend time between wrestling sessions.

    In addition, 2018 Fan Fest offers these unique attractions:

  • Gable-Owings reunion: The two wrestlers involved in the biggest upset in NCAA finals history -- Dan Gable and Larry Owings -- will appear together in a public event for the first time in nearly a half-century at the WIN Magazine Memorabilia Show on Saturday, March 17 at 3:00 p.m. (Please note new day/time from what had been originally announced.) Larry Owings -- a University of Washington sophomore -- handed Iowa State senior Dan Gable his first loss in his entire high school and collegiate career in the 142-pound title match at the 1970 NCAAs. Video of that epic match will be shown, followed by a question-and-answer session. Then the two will be available for photos and autographs.

  • "Wrestling and Football" exhibit: The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has partnered with the Pro Football Hall of Fame to create an exhibit which showcases the connections between the sport of wrestling and football. As part of that exhibit, there will be a roundtable discussion featuring four athletes who excelled at both: Curley Culp (Pro Football Hall of Fame member and NCAA wrestling champion) ... two-time wrestling All-American and 14-year National Football League veteran Bob Golic ...six-time NCAA wrestling champion and NFL veteran Carlton Haselrig ... and two-time NCAA wrestling champion and three-time Super Bowl Champion Stephen Neal. This discussion will take place Thursday, March 15 from 4:15-5 p.m. (Note: the "Wrestling and Football" exhibit will be on display all three days of Fan Fest.)

  • Wrestle Like Girl Empowerment Clinic: Female wrestlers will have an opportunity to gain on-the-mat skills -- as well as championship life skills -- at the Wrestle Like a Girl Empowerment Clinic at Fan Fest. This clinic -- open to girls ages 5-18 -- will take place Saturday, March 17, from 2 -2:40 p.m. (after Session V).

    Other attractions to check out while in Cleveland ...

    While at the 2018 NCAAs, you'll want to make time for these unique Cleveland-area attractions ...

    Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: The place to explore the music of our times, and the greats who made it, in an incredible facility designed by noted architect I.M. Pei. Open every day 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; open Wednesdays until 9 p.m. Tickets are $23 per adult when purchased online; $26 at the box office. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd. (East Ninth Street at the lakefront) in downtown Cleveland. (216) 781-ROCK.

  • "A Christmas Story" House/Museum: The classic Christmas movie "A Christmas Story" was filmed in Cleveland in the early 1980s. The house where Ralphie and his family "lived" is now open for tours; a museum and gift shop are located across the street. Open seven days a week 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Located at 3159 West Eleventh Street in the Tremont neighborhood, about five minutes southwest of downtown. Tickets are $11 for adults which includes admission to the house and museum. (216) 298-4919.

  • "Superman" Exhibit at Cleveland Public Library: "Superman: From Cleveland to Krypton" exhibit at the downtown Cleveland Public Library celebrates the fact that the iconic comic superhero's creators originally hail from Cleveland. Three floors of exhibits feature memorabilia, art and artifacts from the Mike Curtis Collection of Superman Memorabilia and other prominent collectors. Free and open to the public. 325 Superior Avenue, downtown. Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (216) 623-2881.

  • NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton: Located about one hour south of downtown Cleveland is the Hall that honors the greatest athletes and coaches in professional football. Among those enshrined in the Canton hall: Curley Culp, Arizona State NCAA heavyweight champ who went on to an enduring NFL career. Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults. 2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton, Ohio, just off I-77 (the north-south expressway linking downtown Cleveland to the Akron-Canton area and points south). (330) 456-8707.

    Dine at restaurants owned by a former Cleveland high school wrestler

    Michael Symon, restauranteur and regular on ABC-TV's The Chew, once wrestled at St. Edward High School in suburban Cleveland ... until a shoulder injury ended his mat career as a junior. Symon owns a number of eateries in his hometown you might want to check out:

  • Lola Bistro: Upscale dining, using locally-sourced ingredients, right downtown. 2058 East Fourth Street. (216) 621-5652.

  • Mabel's BBQ: Classic barbeque, relaxed atmosphere. 2650 East Fourth Street. (216) 417-8823.

  • The B Spot: Burgers, brats, beer, shakes, sides. Two locations downtown: inside Quicken Loans Arena, as well as at JACK Casino, 100 Public Square. (Other locations in Beechwood, Strongsville, Westlake.) (216) 292-5597.

    Favorite hangouts for this wrestling writer/former Clevelander

    Long before I became a senior writer at InterMat, I was an advertising copywriter. My first job out of college was writing newspaper ads for May Company, a Cleveland-based department store located on Public Square, around the corner from Quicken Loans Arena.

    Here are some of the places I enjoyed visiting during my time in Cleveland many, many years ago ...

    Cleveland Arcade (Photo/This Is Cleveland)

  • Cleveland Arcade: Built in the 1880s, this glass-enclosed shopping arcade is a trip back in time. 401 Euclid Avenue, downtown. (216) 696-1408.

  • Cleveland Museum of Art: An incredible collection of paintings, sculpture and other fine art that spans the centuries. Free admission. 11150 East Boulevard, University Circle. (216) 421-7350.

  • Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum: Get your motor running with cool cars of every era, and more. 10825 East Boulevard, University Circle. (216) 721-5722.


    Go-to resources to make the most of your NCAA experience

    Want to know more about Cleveland? You'll find winning information easily available ...

  • Cleveland Visitor Guide Fall-Winter 2017-18: A 110-page guide to all things Cleveland, including attractions, entertainment options, more.

  • Cleveland Dining Guide 2017-18: Hungry? This is your source for suggestions to satisfy any appetite and taste.

  • Cleveland Visitor Guide on social media: Check out This Is Cleveland on Facebook and Twitter.

  • Destination Cleveland App: Your personalized guide to Cleveland's must-see attractions, restaurants and events. Find your way around town and create your own experience, save your favorite items, and receive insider information on locations to get the most out of your trip to Cleveland.

  • Cleveland Visitors Center: While you're in Cleveland for the NCAAs, stop by the official Visitors Center downtown at Euclid Avenue and East Fourth Street. You'll find all the brochures you could want, plus knowledgeable people who can answer your questions. Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

    Cleveland/wrestling-related reading

    Metropolitan Cleveland and northeast Ohio comprise one of the nation's strongest amateur wrestling hotbeds. Here are two books celebrating mat greats from the area you might want to take with you for your trip to the 2018 NCAAs:

  • Lee Kemp's Winning Gold: Kemp is arguably one of the greatest amateur wrestlers of all time. A product of Chardon, Ohio near Cleveland, Kemp was a two-time Ohio state champ, a four-time NCAA championships finalist, and three-time champ for University of Wisconsin, and America's first three-time World champ. In his new book, Kemp shares his inspirational ideas for readers to achieve success on and off the mat.

  • Jim Kalin's Mustang: There are a number of high school wrestling programs that could be considered among the all-time greats. Kalin, a writer for Amateur Wrestling News, makes a strong case for the Maple Heights Mustangs in a suburban Cleveland, coached by Mike Milkovich.

    Thanks to Destination Cleveland for assistance in putting this feature together.
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