SOURCE: Events DC
EVENTS DC BRINGS COLLEGE BASKETBALL TO ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS ARENA WITH INAUGURAL HOLIDAY HOOPS FEST ON DEC. 22
Double-header will feature Hampton, Howard, High Point and Richmond universities
WASHINGTON, DC (November 28, 2018) – Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia announced the inaugural Events DC Holiday Hoops Fest college men’s basketball invitational will take to be played at the Entertainment and Sports Arena on Saturday, Dec. 22. The double-header will feature Hampton University Pirates, Howard University Bison, High Point Panthers, and Richmond Spiders.
In addition to the two on-court games, attendees can take advantage of off-court activities such as child-friendly games, live performances, brand activations, and more.
“The Washington metro area has produced a substantial pipeline of amateur, collegiate and professional basketball talent and it is Events DC’s mission to establish premier events in our nation’s capital, such as the Events DC Holiday Hoops Fest, that reinforce this very rich history of the sport in our region,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer at Events DC. “We are proud to welcome some of our region’s most-exceptional college basketball student-athletes to not only showcase their talents, but also represent their respective universities at our new Entertainment and Sports Arena.”
The High Point Panthers will travel from North Carolina, alongside legendary basketball coach, Tubby Smith, to the District to face the Richmond Spiders in the first game of the evening.
“We are excited to play in the Events DC Holiday Hoops Fest at the brand-new Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington,” said Tubby Smith, head men’s basketball coach at High Point University. “A lot of the guys in our program are from the DC area, including myself, so it will be great to come home and play in front of our family and friends. We’re also looking forward to playing against a good Richmond squad.”
“We love having the opportunity to play in the nation’s capital over the Christmas holidays,” said Richmond University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Mooney. “We had a great turnout in Washington, DC for our conference tournament last year and we feel like it’s a short trip for our local supporters and an area where we have a lot of alumni and fans. We’re excited to be one of the first college basketball games in a great new arena and we’re looking forward to making this an annual or semi-annual event.”
The long-standing “Battle of the Real HU” returns to Washington, DC when rivals the Hampton Pirates and Howard Bison meet on the court for the second game of the evening.
“We are extremely happy to continue our games with Howard due to the always competitive nature of them and the rivalry between the schools,” said Hampton University Head Coach Edward Joyner, Jr. “Playing the game in the new Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington will be an exciting day for the Battle of the Real HU.”
“It’s always exciting to face Hampton wherever you play,” said Howard Men’s Basketball Head Coach Kevin Nickelberry. “It brings a lot of energy into the building. I really like our team and they’re always talented. It’s going to be a Battle of the Real HU down in the new arena.”
For more information and to purchase tickets for the Events DC Holiday Hoops Fest, visit dcholidayhoopsfest.com.
Monumental SportsNet will livestream both games on getmonumental.com.
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Campus. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at www.RFKCampus.com. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and is building the Entertainment & Sports Arena (www.ESAontheRise.com), all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook (Events DC), Twitter (@TheEventsDC), and Instagram (@EventsDC).
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http://www.eventsdc.com/NewsRoom/PressRelease/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?id=687&year=2018