VT to play VCU in hoops

[vtpoop]

RICHMOND – Standing on the Richmond Coliseum court, Governor Bob McDonnell along with coaches, athletic directors and other officials from eight Virginia universities announced today the “Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic,” a basketball doubleheader to benefit Virginia’s Food Banks. The “Classic” will take place in December 2012 and 2013 and feature in-state teams representing the ACC, CAA, MEAC and Atlantic 10.



The “Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic” Matchups



December 2012



George Mason vs. University of Richmond (early game)



The University of Virginia vs. Old Dominion University (late game)



December 2013



Hampton University vs. James Madison University (early game)



Virginia Tech vs. Virginia Commonwealth University (late game)



Speaking about the “Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic” Governor McDonnell remarked, “Virginia has long been home to some of the nation’s premier collegiate basketball programs. Virginia teams have appeared in Final Fours, won conference championships and are regularly ranked in national Top 25 polls. Unfortunately, given scheduling constraints and conference affiliations, we too rarely get to witness our in-state teams competing against each other. The “Classic” will change that. In December 2012 and 2013 the Richmond Coliseum will be the site of what are certain to be exciting games which will allow Virginians to celebrate our great colleges and universities while supporting a great cause, the Commonwealth’s Food Banks. I hope the Classic will become a long-lasting Virginia athletic tradition. And, as a father who has had children attend UVa, Virginia Tech, ODU, JMU and VCU, I’m definitely staying neutral in this one!”



The idea for the all-Virginia basketball doubleheader came from an appearance made by then Governor-elect McDonnell on “Sports Phone with Big Al” on ESPN 950AM in Richmond in December 2009. During the segment, host Al Coleman mentioned the Richmond Times-Dispatch basketball tournament that existed from 1976-1991 and regularly brought top Virginia programs to the Coliseum. Coleman noted the broad interest in getting such a tournament back in action, especially given the recent and historical successes of Virginia schools on the court. The “Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic” is the result of that conversation.



Details regarding tickets and exact game times will be released in the spring of 2012 and 2013 for each year’s “Classic.” Corporations and individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities can email: [email protected] for additional information.

 

[Lumbee09]

I like that we are playing the in-state CAA teams. Greenberg has been getting a lot of criticism for not scheduling these teams while having a weak OOC schedule. He really has stepped it up. I think VT hoops has a VERY promising outlook in the next couple of years.

 

[NickVT10]

My co-worker who went to VCU broke this news to me yesterday. I am very excited for this. Tickets will be tough to get though.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

I am very excited as well. A preseason mini tournament in the commonwelath would be awesome as well. We have 8 legit teams.

 

[ACC_HOKIES]

This is what college athletics should be: promoting universities and friendly rivalries. This will also be big for the food bank, City of Richmond, and which ever Virginia based sponsors that jump on. It has been talked about and built up locally here for a few years, and it's great to finally see it happen.

 

[Taz_Hokie]

Love this. I also think the idea of a Virginia Classic or whatever you want to call it would be great.