By Abel Tariku (aa_tariku) – Executive Editor | Arizona Wildcats holding up the championship after its 79-64 victory against Purdue on March 28. (photo courtesy of Josefina De La Torre – Spartan Daily )
San Jose State wraps up March Madness, where its athletic department hosted the men’s Sweet 16 and Elite Eight this past weekend in the SAP Center, as the Arizona Wildcats advanced to the Final Four.
This marks the first time since 2010 that SJSU has hosted a March Madness game and the first time since 2007 it’s hosted three games for the West regionals.
The Texas Longhorns and Arkansas Razorbacks would fall in the Sweet 16 while the Purdue Boilermakers would be eliminated by the Wildcats 79-64 in the Elite Eight.
Wildcats freshman forward Koa Peat would win Most Outstanding Player of the West regional averaging 17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and two assists.
SJSU’s Associate Athletics Director, Sky Kerstein, was assigned as the lead media coordinator for the NCAA, marking his first time leading media for this event.
“Easily the toughest thing I’ve ever done in this industry,” Kerstein said. “We credentialed 300 media members for this event and it was awesome.”
Over 15,000 fans across the nation were present in all three games, bringing tons of energy into the SAP center despite being a neutral venue.
“I thought San Jose was great,” Purdue head coach Matt Painter said after his win against Texas. “The city is fabulous. It’s really cool.”
This continues the streak of multiple major sporting events being listed in Santa Clara County. Previous events include the 2025 NWSL championship and Super Bowl 60.
SJSU’s involvement in the preparation of those events are also relevant as Bay F.C and the Seattle Seahawks would use the program’s practice facilities.
SJSU’s Sports Information Director and assistant media coordinator, Amy Villa, hopes to continue seeing the community active, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.
“Every time we host something, the weather is beautiful,” Villa said. “We are a great city, and we have a lot of experience hosting events and it’s only going to grow from this.”
