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Horizon League gets creative to get people to Motor City Madness

Posted at 5:20 PM, Mar 02, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-02 18:02:07-05

Courtney Welch has taught large, public yoga classes before, but Wednesday's was extra special.

"To look up at the banners and see No. 9, No. 5, No. 19.... It's just a lot of history and a really cool way to say goodbye to The Joe," said Welch.

Wednesday night was the first of two Yoga Days at The Joe. Participants did a 60 minute yoga class on the Horizon League Championship tournament court inside of Joe Louis Arena. Yoga... On a basketball court... Inside of a hockey arena.

Over the next few days there will be plenty of unique activities taking place at Joe Louis Arena. The biggest event is -- of course -- Motor City Madness.

"There was so much excitement just with the basketball and what we realized is that we could do much more," said Horizon League Deputy Commissioner Julie Roe Lach.

For yoga go-ers like Julie Papke, these extracurriculars held in conjunction with the basketball tournament are having the desired effect.

"I'm not a huge basketball fan. But now I will be! I'm coming Saturday," said Papke. Tickets to a day of basketball came as part of the yoga package.

"It's such a special time for Detroit. [With] these events, and the Horizon League basketball events...we want everyone to have the opportunity to do something in The Joe," said Roe Lach.

Motor City Madness begins Friday and runs through Tuesday. To find out more about the other unique events being held at Joe Louis Arena this weekend in conjunction with the tournament, visit the website.