From our friends at the Big Apple Classic:
The Big Apple Classic, the only Black college basketball tournament at the world famous Madison Square Garden, returns to New York City for its fifth anniversary on December 4, bringing heart pounding basketball battles, electrifying drumlines and other memorable traditions of southern black colleges to the tri-state area.
Thousands of alumni, students, celebrity guests and other basketball fans are expected at what has become one of the most highly anticipated family and social events of the year. Featuring four top basketball teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the Big Apple Classic weekend starts Friday, December 3 with a kick-off party at Greenhouse and peaks on Saturday, December 4, with a basketball doubleheader. The classic rivalry between CIAA schools Virginia State University and Virginia Union University will take place at 4 p.m. and the battle of the HUs — MEAC schools Hampton University and Howard University, will take place at 7 p.m. at The Garden.
Other highlights include an essay contest for high school students, a college fair showcasing more than 25 HBCUs, a drumline competition that will get fans hyped and on their feet, a step show highlighting sororities and fraternities, and a halftime musical performance featuring a nationally-known recording artist.
BAC tickets are $29.50 and $54.50, with discounts for groups of 20 or more and for members of the military. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to support the national philanthropic efforts of Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority Inc.
For tickets or more info about the BAC weekend, visit www.thebigappleclassic.com. You can also purchase tickets by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the box office at Madison Square Garden.
ABOUT THE BIG APPLE CLASSIC
In an historic event, the BAC was launched five years ago, bringing the first ever HBCU basketball competition to the famed Madison Square Garden. Produced by Johnson, Inc., a Richmond, VA-based marketing firm, the Big Apple Classic has one primary goal: to encourage the New York Metro African American community to attend HBCUs. In addition to exciting basketball action featuring top CIAA and MEAC teams, BAC attendees enjoy the hottest entertainment, an HBCU college fair and more. In fact, the Big Apple Classic has become the ultimate family and social event that draws thousands of alumni, students, fans of participating schools, and the general public. The Big Apple Classic’s commitment to the community doesn’t stop with promoting higher education. Each year, the BAC partners with a non-profit organization to donate a portion of ticket proceeds to a charitable cause that impacts the African American community. For the past two years, the American Cancer Society has been the philanthropic partner, receiving funds toward its efforts to advance awareness of cancer screening and treatment among African Americans. In 2010, the BAC is teaming up with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. to support the organization’s national philanthropic efforts.
2010 BIG APPLE CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Friday, December 3
Sponsor Reception and Kick-Off Party
6:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Greenhouse
150 Varick Street
New York, NY 10013
Open to the public
Saturday, December 4
HBCU College Fair
3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Madison Square Garden Concourse
Game 1
4:00 p.m.
Virginia State University (VSU) vs. Virginia Union University (VUU)
Drumline Competition
Step Show
Game 2
7:00 p.m.
Hampton University vs. Howard University
Halftime Musical Performance
