NCAA Division II basketball returns to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort this fall. Disney's Division II Tip-Off Classic, now in its 12th year, includes teams from around the country and features some of the nations most exciting and competitive college basketball.
The 2008 women's tournament, which will be held October 30 - November 2, will feature Lake Superior State University, Columbus State University, University of South Carolina Aiken, Bentley College, Delta State University, University of Alaska Anchorage, American International College and Southwest Minnesota State University. Two of the participating teams, Delta State University and University of Alaska Anchorage, finished the 2007-08 season with a top 25 national ranking. The University of South Carolina Aiken also received votes in the final coaches' poll of the season.
Minnesota State University - Mankato, Lees-McRae College, University of Southern Indiana, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Saint Martin's University, Bentley College, University of Montevallo and Florida Southern College will compete in the men's tournament, November 6 - November 9, 2008. Florida Southern College finished the 2007-08 ranked in the top 25. Minnesota State University - Mankato also received votes in the final poll of the season.
The Classic, which is produced with the support of the NCAA Division II Commissioners Association, regularly features schools ranked in the BCA Coaches' Poll.
"Disney's Division II Tip-Off Classic has become one of the best Division II men's and women's tournaments in the country," said Don Landry, former president of the Division II Commissioners Association and Tip-Off Classic tournament director. "The combination of the strong field of teams and Disney experience makes this an attractive tournament destination to our colleges and universities.
The 2007 Women's Tip-Off Classic Tournament crowned University of Colorado - Colorado Springs champions in a 73-67 win over Bellarmine University in the Group Endurance Division, while University of Indiana - Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA) defeated Upper Iowa University with a 60-52 win in the Group Intensity Division.
Tonya Tripp of UCCS averaged a double-double for the tournament with 18.7 points and 10 rebounds and was named Most Outstanding Player in the Group Endurance Division. Jahzinga Tracey of UIP, who averaged 22.7 points and nine rebounds for the tournament, was named Most Outstanding Player of the Group Intensity Division.
Grand Valley State University claimed the men's Group Dedication Division Championship with a 53-46 win over Barry University, while Winona State completed an unbeaten championship run with a 93-74 victory over Assumption College in the Group Teamwork Division.
Winona State's John Smith, who averaged 19.3 points and 10.7 rebounds for the tournament was named Most Outstanding Player in the Group Teamwork Division, while Jason Jamerson for Grand Valley State who scored a game high 22 points in their win over Barry University was named Most Outstanding Player in the Group Dedication Division.
Travel packages that include tournament tickets for Disney's Division II Tip-Off Classic are on sale now and available through Anthony Travel, the Official Travel Planner for the tournament. Fans can make their reservations by visiting AnthonyTravel.com (search DII) or by calling (888) 632-6951.
Additional information on the tournament can be found on Disney's Wide World Sports website, www.DisneySports.com.
About Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
Opened in 1997 at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex is the premier sports venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States. The sprawling 220-acre state-of-the-art complex features the Milk House, a 165,000-square-foot field house which seats 5,500 for basketball; the 9,500-seat Champion Stadium ballpark; the Hess Sports Fields, which include multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields; and the Jostens Center, a multi-sport field house set to open summer 2008. In addition, the complex has 11 tennis courts, including a stadium court, and a track and field complex. The complex is home to more than 180 amateur and professional sports events each year, including the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp, the Major League Baseball Atlanta Braves spring training, a Tampa Bay Rays regular-season series, the NBA Pre-Draft Camp, the Pop Warner Super Bowl, Chelsea Football Club events, the Special Olympics Florida Summer Games and the AAU National Championship events. Please visit www.disneysports.com for more information.
About Anthony Travel
Since 1989, Anthony Travel has specialized in providing extraordinary service, excellent prices and creative travel solutions for the unique needs of university officials, collegiate athletic programs, youth sports programs, event organizers and U.S. national teams. Anthony Travel offers comprehensive travel solutions that save clients time and money, while providing unforgettable travel experiences. For more information regarding Anthony Travel, please contact Dee Ann Bell at DeeAnnBell@AnthonyTravel.com or (214) 234-3093.
Please login to post comments