Mark Hollis defends four-game idea, says planning has gone on for years

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Earlier this month Mark Hollis let the cat out of the bag with his latest idea.

The Michigan State Athletic Director, and king of grand college basketball creations, said he is in discussions to hold a season-opening event at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas featuring four NCAA games going at once.

Immediate reaction from the basketball world was mixed.

Some called it the perfect way to bring attention to the season's first weekend while others categorized it as a messy AAU imitation not fit for the college game.

Hollis hasn't been deaf to the naysayers.

"It's like anything else. It's different. Reaction goes two different ways. Some have looked at it as the 'circus-type' activity that maybe doesn't have a place in college sports," he said.

"But sports are supposed to be the diversion. They're supposed to be something that's different."

His phone hasn't been solely ringing off the hook with harassment. His reputation wouldn't merit that feedback. There's been legitimate interest from major programs across the country.

"Some of the reaction was obviously negative, but then I've also had 15 or so basketball coaches contact me and say, 'If this thing goes forward, we want to be a part of it.'"

Athletic Director at Michigan State since 2008, Hollis hasn't been shy to introducing fresh ideas that at first seem outlandish, but ultimately run with complete fanfare.

In talking with him Monday, he made a point to emphasize the "core values" of the decision facing this eight-team day of games. The Division I Men's Basketball committee he's recently joined wants to garner attention to the Final Four site in Dallas.

He also attributed the push for the game to the local armed forces, who would receive tickets to the games, and student athletes who he said would benefit from a "memory maker" event.

Each of the four games would start fifteen minutes after the other, with the large screen over Cowboys Stadium field level portraying a four-way split screen.

"We're continuing to pursue many of the different challenges that would take place in running four games at the same time."

"We don't want to do it if it's a bad experience."

Hollis said he wants to put it together for "reasons that are good," and continues to evaluate the event.

He said a decision is coming soon.

Hardly a rookie to risky ventures, Hollis admitted he's been planning a day of this magnitude for years. He and group of athletic directors nearly pulled the trigger years ago at Ford Field.

"It hasn't been a short-term ride. It's been an event that's been in the thinking for a long time."

Brad Galli is a Sports Reporter at WXYZ-TV in Detroit. Follow Brad on Twitter @BradGalli .