LaSalle has to find a new way to play … in the big dance

LaSalle University is in the NCAA tournament for the first time in more than 20 years. The little school that could had to mobilize quickly.

Assistant athletic director Chris Kane says he had a sleepless night after finding out the Explorers of LaSalle would have to play in the 64-team NCAA first round. The reason: They had to figure out how to move the team to Dayton to face off against Boise State in the game Wednesday.

“It’s the kind of work you love to do,” he said. “It’s busy and it’s crazy for a couple days, but it’s for such a great purpose. You don’t mind how mind-numbed you might get from it all, not being able to sit down and sleep and all that.”

Kane says going to the big dance means there’s a partner to help — the NCAA does a great deal of the logistical work, such as finding hotel rooms and transportation.

As for all the calls for tickets — Kane says the team could fulfill only a small percentage of the requests.

“We had the option to go up to 200 tickets for this round,” he said. “If we advance we are required to purchase 350, and we have the option to buy 200 on top of that.”