BIG APPLE CLASSIC RETURNS TO BARCLAYS CENTER SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7

RICHMOND, VA/BROOKLYN (September 22, 2014) – The 8th annual Big Apple Classic (BAC) basketball tournament returns to Barclays Center on Sunday, December 7. Arch rivals from four of the nation’s most prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities will compete in a doubleheader. Virginia State University will take on Virginia Union University at 3 p.m. and North Carolina Central University will play Howard University beginning at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the Big Apple Classic at Barclays Center are currently on sale and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster by visiting www.barclayscenter.com or www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. For information on individual suites, please call 718-BK-SUITE.

Fans can look forward to watching one of the longest-running rivalries in the history of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), when the Virginia State Trojans take on the Virginia Union Panthers. In addition, the Howard University Bison and North Carolina Central University Eagles rivalry will come to a head after Howard lost to North Carolina Central during the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament.

“We’re excited to be participating in one of the most anticipated events of the year,” said Howard’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach Kevin Nickelberry. “The experience to play at Barclays Center is a great honor and we’re going up against our conference rivals and current MEAC champs.”

North Carolina Central, as the reigning MEAC champion and new addition to the Big Apple Classic, represented the conference in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament this past April. LaVelle Moton, Head Coach for the Eagles, said, “We’re thrilled to be playing in the 2014 Big Apple Classic. We see it as a tremendous opportunity for our kids to play at Barclays Center on a national stage.”

Though the two games are often considered the highlight of the weekend, the Big Apple Classic extends far beyond collegiate basketball. With a mission to increase awareness of the importance of a college education, especially among minorities, and expose the rich academic and athletic heritage of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Northeastern region, this year’s event remains centered on education. Programming will include a Leadership Summit hosted by the United Federation of Teachers, a college fair featuring more than 25 top universities and Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools, step show and “Battle of the Bands” Expo.

For more information on the Big Apple Classic, visit www.thebigappleclassic.com.