Paul’s Perspective: Come to St. Louis, home of Arch Madness

The University of Northern Iowa Alumni Association has a traditions challenge where students compete to accomplish a list of "must-do" things at UNI before they graduate. I feel there is another thing that should be added to that list: attend the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament (Arch Madness) in St. Louis, Mo. This year the event will be held March 1-4. I have gone the last three years, and there is rarely a weekend during the school year I look forward to more than the one I spend in St. Louis.

I normally try to avoid St. Louis because it is the home of the Cardinals, but I put that hatred aside once a year to spend a magical weekend enjoying a basketball vacation. It is something I encourage every UNI student to do as well.

Get a few friends together to split the cost of gas and a hotel, and the five-and-a-half hour drive will go surprisingly quick. Once you get there you can visit some of the local attractions. The Gateway Arch is fun, and something everyone should do at least once. You can visit the Anheuser-Busch Brewery or the St. Louis Zoo, which is an underrated tourist attraction, in my opinion. Or, you could tour (or just spit on, your choice) Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals.

Then come the basketball games. They rarely disappoint. Every team is gunning for their "one shining moment" and the opportunity to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. March is where legends are born and memories are made; just ask Ali Farokhmanesh. The games take place in the Scottrade Center, which, despite being primarily a hockey arena, is a surprisingly good place to watch basketball. Students get to sit down close to the floor behind the basket. All the Valley teams' fans are in the arena too, which can lead to some good-natured trash talking if you want. Also, storming the court after UNI's championship my freshman year remains one of my highlights as a Panther fan and as a sports fan in general. Hopefully that will happen again this year.

Tickets for students are cheap, running at just $12 with a student I.D. You really can't afford not to go. However, I will offer a heads-up to those 21 and older: the beer at the arena is not cheap, costing $9 a cup. Don't worry, though; there will be a chance for you to kick back with a couple cold brews of your own afterwards.

This leads me to how your vacation will continue after the game: you can enjoy the St. Louis nightlife. The Landing is a solid and popular bar scene down by the Mississippi River and there are more bars throughout downtown (there is even one that looks like a cave). Going to the Landing is a good experience even if you don't drink. It's like an MVC celebration with all the people from all the schools partying together.

If going to the bars is not your idea of a good time, you can go to the casino, but be sure not to miss the correct turn into the parking lot, because if you do, you will end up crossing the bridge into East St. Louis. It is not an easy turnaround and it's a mistake that my friends and I have made three times in a row now. I'm guessing most UNI students aren't looking for that type of excitement on their trip anyways.

My annual trip to Arch Madness is one of my favorite things and is a tradition I hope to continue for a long time. It is an enjoyable getaway from Cedar Falls. Start planning now. You won't regret it, and maybe the Panthers will pull off an upset or two and make it even better.