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Cold Nights and Hot Games: Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney |
by:
Ron Richards |
Each year, colleges and universities from all overnation send their men's basketball teams to "Last Frontier State" toGreat Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney. The competition heats upcold winter days and nights, as teams meet head on to battle for buckets. Colleges and universities get opportunity to play against their top rivals and powerhouses ofgame. These games draw in record crowds each year, as any basketball fan should not misschance to attend this fast paced pre season classic.
The main question on any sports fan's mind is, why Alaska? The reason is simple, former University of Alaska Anchorage head coach, Bob Rachal foundloophole inNCAA rules determining pre season play. Ineffort to draw more attention tostate,University of Alaska Anchorage, andSeawolves athletic program, Rachal becamemastermind of what began asSea Wolf Classic. The NCAA rules stated any games played outsidecontagious foureight states did not count towardsprogram's pre determined allotment. For this reason, participants ofGreat Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney can getearly gauge of their teams prowess against national talent.
The first Sea Wolf Classic was held in onenineseveneight for 'seveneight-'sevennine basketball season and sawWolfpack of North Carolina State University crushUniversity of Louisville's Cardinals. The tournament ended in onenineseveneight, leaving many wondering if it would becomeannual event. Much to everyone's relief,Sea Wolf Classic becameThanksgiving tradition in oneninesevennine, but under new name.
Broadcaster Billy Packer is credited with changingname fromSea Wolf Classic toGreat Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney back in oneninesevennine. In this stunning tournament,title game came down to University of Kentucky Wildcats andIona College Gaels. The Wildcats proved too powerful fortiny New York school, and emerged victorious assecond champion of this fantastic new basketball challenge.
A list of past champions reads likewho's who of College basketball, including NC State, Louisville, Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, and UCLA to namefew.
The attendance may have been meager inearly days, but soonaction caught on, and now college basketball fans of all ages flock tostate forThanksgiving weekend Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney. What better way to celebrate our national day of thanks than by cheering on teams from all acrosscountry? Many hotels, cruises, and lodges have special packages designed with college basketball fan in mind.
If you find you cannot wait until December to enjoy hot hoops action, head to Anchorage and watchaction melt awaysnow! Plantrip forfamily and bring budding sports fans to experiencethrilling display of skill and sportsmanship, or make itraucous occasion for celebration with your best hoops loving buds. Whoever you bring, just make sure you bring yourself to this annual college basketball showdown!
About The Author:
A lifelong Alaskan, Ron Richards lives inbeautiful Matanuska Valley. Ron invites you to come and see Alaska. One excellent way to enjoy Alaska is by takingaffordable Alaska cruise.
This article is free for republishing
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