PRESENTED BY

Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.

The NCAA Tournaments tip off this weekend, bringing non-stop action for sports fans everywhere. While Des Moines won’t host games this year, the tournament returns in 2028—something to look forward to!

For basketball fans, these next few days are some of the best of the year. I know I’ll be kicking back with a cold one and soaking in the wall-to-wall madness. 🏀🍻

Where’s your go-to spot to watch the games? And more importantly—who’s your pick to cut down the nets? Let me know!

In todays issue:

• 🏀 Boys State Basketball: Moving to Hilton in 2027

• ⚡ Caitlin Clark’s Latest Assist: New Mini-Pitch Courts

• 📚 Everybody Wins! Iowa: Mentoring Through Reading

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

🏀 NCAA Tournament Trivia

PRESENTED BY: Springer Brothers Real Estate Team

Looking to make a move? The Springer Brothers Real Estate Team is comprised of third generation real estate professionals, born and raised right here in Central Iowa. We’re deeply rooted in this community. When it comes to finding that place to grow your roots here, the Springer Brothers are experienced at guiding you home.

If you’re in the market to buy, the Springer Brothers work hard to find that house that just feels like home. Whether it’s the first home we see or the 30^th , we encourage our homebuyers to always trust their gut. There’s no greater feeling in what we do than that feeling of finding “the one”.

If you’re the market to sell, our team will work with you to put together a plan that maximizes your homes value. We tailor every situation, using our suite of services, so that homeowners can feel confident when they list their home that they’ll get maximum exposure for their greatest, most-tangible asset.

No matter your situation, we’re ready to get to work FOR YOU so that you can achieve your real estate goals.

Call us at (515) 371-9396, email us at [email protected], or visit our website to learn more about us.

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

🏀 Boys State Basketball Moving to Hilton in 2027

The Iowa Boys State Basketball Tournament has been a staple in Des Moines since 1963, but that tradition will soon change. The IHSAA announced Tuesday that starting in 2027, the tournament will relocate to Hilton Coliseum in Ames under a five-year agreement. The move aims to create a more intimate atmosphere for players and fans.

The shift comes with financial implications—Des Moines is expected to lose approximately $750,000 in economic impact, while Ames anticipates a boost of $7.5 million over the five years.

🔗 Read more here

🏀 Caitlin Clark & Musco Lighting Bring New Mini-Pitch Courts to DMPS

Caitlin Clark is teaming up with Musco Lighting and Des Moines Public Schools to bring four new mini-pitch recreation courts to middle schools across the city. These courts will feature built-in goals and hoops, integrated fencing, lighting, and benches, creating a dynamic space for students to play and stay active.

The courts are set to open later this year, providing enhanced recreational opportunities for local youth.

🔗 Read the official press release

HEART OF DSM ❤️ 

Everybody Wins when you read with a child

For the past 23 years, Everybody Wins! Iowa has partnered with several central Iowa schools and organizations to provide literacy based, mentorships for students. Our signature program, Power Read, connects students with a mentor once per week over their lunch hour to read and build a meaningful mentor relationship over a school year.

Everybody Wins! Iowa at the DSM Book Festival

Our organization is proud to work with Beaverdale Books, providing entertaining mini-trivia events at the upcoming DSM Book Festival. Join us on Saturday, March 22 at Franklin Jr. High Event Center for the festival. Our trivia events will happen at 4:45 and 5:15 p.m. and are free to join. Top 3 winners will receive a gift card for Beaverdale Books.

Volunteers needed

If you’re looking at ways to be involved in Everybody Wins! Iowa, we’re actively recruiting Power Read Leader (PRL) volunteers to help run our programming. These highly organized individuals are essential in helping us serve more than 200 central Iowa students weekly. To learn more, visit everybodywinsiowa.org/get-involved.

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.

🛻 RV Show
Find the latest RVs, campers, and outdoor adventure gear!
📍 EMC Expo Center (Google Maps)
📆 Thursday-Sunday
➡️ Details

🌷 Spring at the Barn
Shop unique spring decor, gifts, and handmade goods!
📍 Daydream Abode (Google Maps)
📆 Friday | 🕘 9 AM
➡️ Discover

🌱 Garden Starters
Get tips and resources to start your spring garden!
📍 Des Moines Public Library (Google Maps)
📆 Friday | 🕙 10 AM - 12 PM
➡️ Learn More

🚎 Great Train Show
A must-see for train enthusiasts with model trains, collectibles, and more!
📍 EMC Expo Center (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday-Sunday | 🕙 10 AM
➡️ Tickets

📚 DSM Book Festival
Enjoy author presentations, book signings, and family-friendly activities!
📍 Franklin Jr High Event Center (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕘 9 AM
➡️ More Info

⚾ Iowa Cubs Open House 2025
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Principal Park before the season begins!
📍 Principal Park (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕚 11 AM
➡️ Explore

🍽️ Chef’s Tasting Menu
Experience a special multi-course tasting by Chef Lynn Pritchard!
📍 Table 128 (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕔 5 PM
➡️ Reserve

🎭 Vicki Lawrence and Mama
A night of comedy and entertainment with the legendary Vicki Lawrence!
📍 Hoyt Sherman Place (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕖 7 PM
➡️ Tickets

💃 Primavera Salsa Ball
Dance the night away at this vibrant salsa event!
📍 The Des Moines Ballroom (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕗 8 PM
➡️ Join

🌿 DIY Porch Planters & Mimosas
Create a beautiful porch planter while sipping mimosas!
📍 Board & Brush Clive (Google Maps)
📆 Sunday | 🕐 1-4 PM
➡️ Sign Up

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Weather Beacon: 🔴 Warmer weather ahead

Thursday

High 49 🌡️ Low 38 | ☀️ | 💧 3%

Friday

High 58 🌡️ Low 27 | 🌦️ | 💧 44%

Saturday

High 62 🌡️ Low 45 | 🌥️ | 💧 4%

Sunday

High 56 🌡️ Low 31 | 🌥️ | 💧 24%

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

Giovannie & The Hired Guns | 7 | Wooly’s
Joshua Sinclair | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Kiss the Tiger | 7 | xBk Live

Friday

Joshua Sinclair | 5 | Iowa Distilling Company
Corbett Reeves | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Sean Sullivan | 7 | Firetrucker Brewery
Taiyamo Denku & more | 7 | Lefty’s Live Music
Matt Woods | 7 | Temple Theater
Good To Be King | 7 | Wooly’s
Jackson Dean | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
Sister Sara | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Shock Collar | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Social Cinema | 8 | xBk Live
Not Sisters | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Bodiah & more | 9:30 | Lefty’s Live Music

Saturday

Ryne Doughty | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
The Sheet | 7 | Uptown Garage Brewing
Matt Biegger | 7 | Captain Roy’s
BJ Barham | 7 | xBk Live
Dexter and the Moonrocks | 7 | Wooly’s
Screaming Vengeance | 7 | Lefty’s Live Music

Sunday

Joshua Sinclair | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
flipturn | 8 | Val Air Ballroom

SPORTS 🏈🏅

College Basketball 🏀 

As March Madness tips off, here's a look at Iowa's teams competing in the NCAA Tournaments.

Men's Teams:

• Iowa State Cyclones 🌪️

  • 🔢 #3 Seed | South Region

  • 📊 24-9 Record

  • 🆚 #14 Lipscomb

  • 📆 Friday | 🕛️ 12:30

  • 📍 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Drake Bulldogs 🐶

  • 🔢 #11 Seed | West Region

  • 📊 30-3 Record

  • 🆚 #6 Missouri Tigers

  • 📆 Thursday | 🕛️ 6:35 PM

  • 📍 Wichita, Kansas

Women's Teams:

• Iowa Hawkeyes 🦅

  • 🔢 #6 Seed | Spokane Regional

  • 📊 22-10 Record

  • 🆚 #11 Murray State

  • 📆 Saturday| 🕛️ 11 AM

  • 📍 Norman, Oklahoma

• Iowa State Cyclones 🌪️

  • 🔢 #11 Seed | Birmingham Regional

  • 📊 23-11 Record

  • 🆚 #6 Michigan Wolverines

  • 📆 Friday | 🕛️ 10:30 AM

  • 📍 South Bend, Indiana

Menace ⚽️ 

The regular season hasn’t kicked off yet for the Des Moines Menace, but they’re already making noise in the U.S. Open Cup. They took down Sporting KC II 2-1 tonight, proving once again why they’re a force to be reckoned with in lower-division soccer.

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs | 21-30-4-0 (7th place - Western Conference)

• @ Omaha Lancers
  📆 3/21 | 🕛️ 7:05

• 🆚 Waterloo Black Hawks
  📆 3/25 | 🕛️ 6:30

Iowa Wild | 21-32-4-1 (6th place - Central Division)

• 🆚 Ontario Reign
  🏎️ Racing Night
  📆 3/22 | 🕛️ 6

• 🆚 Ontario Reign
  🐕️ Pucks and Paws
  📆 3/23 | 🕛️ 3

• 🆚Chicago Wolves
  📆 3/26 | 🕛️ 7

G League 🏀 

Iowa Wolves | 4-24 (15th place - Western Conference)

• @ Austin Spurs
  📆 3/20 | 🕛️ 7

• @ Rio Grande Valley Vipers
  📆 3/22 | 🕛️ 7

• 🆚 Texas Legends
  📆 3/24 | 🕛️ 6:30

• 🆚Texas Legends
  📆 3/25 | 🕛️ 6:30

THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

I would love your feedback! Reply here or email me anytime!

Want to sponsor a future edition of The Dawn? Let’s chat! [email protected].