UW-Platteville receives funding from DRA Core Grant, plans basketball tournament event

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is the recipient of a 2022 DRA Core Grant that will help sponsor a men’s basketball tip-off classic tournament on the UW-Platteville campus this year.

DRA Core Grants focus on people attraction – population growth, retention and tourism in the tri-state area. The tournament is anticipated to bring in more than 1,500 visitors for the weekend and will provide an opportunity to promote sites to visit in the tri-state region. As the largest public institution in Southwest Wisconsin, UW-Platteville is a driver of economic growth and athletics plays a large role in this already, hosting more than 400 home athletic events each year. UW-Platteville is home to 16 NCAA varsity programs and competes in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – one of the most recognizable conferences in Division III. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the DRA to enhance tourism to the region while simultaneously providing a fantastic new game day experience for Pioneer Nation this winter,” said Dr. Kristina Navarro-Krupka, assistant chancellor for sports administration and director of Athletics and Recreation at UW-Platteville.

In addition to funding the men’s basketball tip-off classic tournament, the DRA committed to a 2023 Corporate Engagement Sponsorship. 

“Our Corporate Relations team helps corporate partners engage with and recruit students and showcases partners’ brands, missions and visions across campus,” said Angie Herting, corporate development officer at UW-Platteville. “Corporate partnerships are essential for the university to continue to provide hands-on experiential learning experiences to develop a world-class workforce pipeline in our region, ensuring population growth and retention, as well as, prosperity well into the future.” 

About the DRA

The DRA, through its gaming and entertainment facilities provides for social, economic and community betterment and lessens the burden of Dubuque city and area government, while contributing to the growth and viability of Dubuque area tourism. The organization has been a vital part of the community since its inception in 1985 and is operated by a volunteer board comprised of 21 directors. For more information on DRA and its community-minded mission, visit https://dradubuque.com/.