Dryden High School students explore sports, economic development

DETROIT — A group of Dryden High School students got an inside look at the intersection of sports, media, and regional commerce Wednesday during the Detroit Economic Club’s “2027 Final Four Tip-Off” luncheon at MotorCity Casino Hotel.

Sponsored by Deloitte, the Oct. 14 event provided students a behind-the-scenes look at how hosting the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four will impact Detroit and Southeast Michigan.

The panel featured Michigan State University men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo; Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of men’s basketball; and Andy Katz, a college basketball analyst and correspondent for the Big Ten Network and NCAA. Brad Galli, a local sports journalist, moderated the discussion.

The program offered students a look at the planning and collaboration required for a major sporting event. Panelists discussed opportunities for local businesses, fan experiences and community involvement as Detroit prepares to host the tournament in April 2027. Speakers also detailed how visitor spending connected to the Final Four will boost hotels, restaurants, and other businesses throughout the region.

The experience connected classroom lessons with real-world careers in sports management, business, media and event planning.

Dryden Community Schools thanked Deloitte for sponsoring the students’ attendance and the Detroit Economic Club for hosting the educational event.