This week, the Quad Cities will host one of the Midwest's largest women's basketball tournaments.
The Missouri Valley Conference Women's Basketball Tournament, known as Hoops in the Heartland, has called Moline's Tax Slayer Center home for 5 years.
Patty Viverito, the Senior Associate Commissioner for the conference, says the Quad Cities has been the perfect setting.
"When we came to the Quad Cities, it was a full on partnership," said Viverito. "Not just with hosting the event in a first class manner, but promoting the event and being visible in the community. They helped us in every way you can imagine."
The Quad Cities also offers a neutral court for the tournament, so fans of all the teams show up at games. And every three pointer is met with a roar.
Size, partnerships, and neutrality aren't the only factors that make Tax Slayer a prime spot for the tournament.
"We've seen new score boards, and ribbon boards, and a new floor. This year was improvements to the back staging area and the locker rooms." said Viverito. "Each and every year, they've not only committed to hosting us, but they committed to upgrading the facility in way that makes this an even more attractive venue than when we started there."
The 13th Annual Hoops in the Heartland tournament tips off Thursday, March 12th at the Tax Slayer Center in Moline when Loyola faces off against Indiana State.