Full Release
LAHINA Maui, Hawai'i – The EA SPORTS Maui Invitational® Hosted by Chaminade announced today that tickets will go on sale via the tournament's web site on Wednesday, August 21, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. EDT (9:00 a.m. HST). This year's Championship Round will take place Nov. 25, 26 and 27 on the beautiful island of Maui. Participating teams include Arkansas, Baylor, California, Dayton, Gonzaga, Minnesota, Syracuse and host Chaminade.
There is no other experience like the 2,400-seat Lahaina Civic Center that annually plays host to the best teams in Division I basketball. All-Tournament Reserved Tickets are good for entry to all 12 tournament games. All-Day Reserved Tickets are good for entry to all four tournament games on a particular day. Booster tickets will be available for all eight participating teams and are good for entry to all three tournament games in which a particular school will participate. Tickets can be purchased via the Tournament website at www.mauiinvitational.com or by phone at 1.800.325.SEAT.
"Thousands of fans travel each year to the island of Maui to attend the premier early-season college basketball tournament and see some of the top collegiate players and programs compete in the three-day event," said David Odom, EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Tournament Chairman. "The Lahaina Civic Center provides the most intimate playing venue in the game and basketball fans should be sure to get their tickets to this year's Tournament now."
Ticket Travel Packages are available and include tickets to your school's participating games, the Tip-Off Banquet, accommodations at an official host hotel, on-island airport transportation, game day shuttle service, and more. Call 800.826.3822 for more details and to book your travel package today.
Tickets will also be made available to the Tip-Off Banquet on Sunday, Nov. 24 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. All participating teams attend the banquet, which features speeches from the participating coaches and Hawaiian group performances.
The line-up for the first round match-ups features some of the nation's premier programs.
ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will offer live, high-definition television coverage of all 12 Championship Round games. Games will also be broadcast live on the WatchESPN mobile app and WatchESPN.com.
This year's field has combined for 132 NCAA Tournament appearances, 79 conference championships, 18 Final Fours and three national championships. Four of this year's participants – Syracuse, Gonzaga, California and Minnesota - won NCAA Tournament games in 2013 and Syracuse earned its fifth Final Four appearance by winning the East Regional. Additionally, Baylor won the 2013 NIT Championship.
The four recently announced Mainland Teams – Coastal Carolina, Louisiana, Oakland and St. Francis Brooklyn – will participate in the Regional Games at Coastal Carolina University from Nov. 23-24. Prior to the Championship Round and Regional Games, the Island Teams and Mainland Teams will face-off in seven Opening Games at the Island Teams home arenas from Nov. 15-19.
About EA SPORTS
EA SPORTS™ is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world and 2013 marks its thirteenth year as title sponsor of the Maui Invitational. With top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences, EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL hockey, NBA JAM, NCAA Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR golf, and EA SPORTS Active.
About Tournament Sponsors
Other tournament sponsors include the Maui Visitors Bureau, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, adidas, Geico, and Hawaiian Airlines. The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and Westin Maui Resort & Spa, all located in the beautiful Ka'anapali Beach Resort area, serve as host hotels.
About Chaminade University
Chaminade University, the only Catholic university in Hawaii, provides a rich educational experience. Chaminade is a place where people grow: professionally, intellectually and spiritually. The Society of Mary, the Marianists, founded Chaminade University in 1955 (as St. Louis Junior College.) Chaminade University offers its students an education in a collaborative learning environment that prepares them for life, service and successful careers.
About KemperLesnik
KemperLesnik is a sports marketing, events and public relations agency. Ranked by Crain's Chicago Business among Chicago's top PR agencies, KemperLesnik produces integrated communications programs and manages major national events, including the EA SPORTSÔ Maui Invitational®, the McDonald's All American Games, the POWERADE Jam Fest and activation for KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership. KemperLesnik has operated the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1990. For more information, visit www.kemperlesnik.com.
