College basketball season is right around the corner, and Virginia’s universities have yielded amazing talent on the courts throughout the years. Governor Bob McDonnell and representatives from eight Virginia universities introduced the “Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic,” a basketball doubleheader that will benefit food banks across the Commonwealth. “The Classic” will take place in the Richmond Coliseum in December 2012 and 2013. This will feature teams from across the Commonwealth representing the MEAC, CAA, ACC, and Atlantic 10. The idea for “The Classic” came from an appearance that McDonnell made on “Sports Phone with Big Al” on ESPN 950 AM in Richmond in December 2009, when host Al Coleman mentioned a similar tournament took place from 1976-1991 in Richmond.
The first hoops classic in December 2012 will feature the following matchups: George Mason University vs. University of Richmond and University of Virginia vs. Old Dominion University. The 2013 matchups will feature: Hampton University vs. James Madison University and Virginia Tech vs. Virginia Commonwealth University.
McDonnell said:
“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!”
For more information about the “Classic,” click here.
Cross posted at Crystal Clear Conservative
