Below is a summary of each Knight Eady basketball event coming to Alabama this December. If you’d like to learn more about each event, click on the links in their descriptions!
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Mike Slive Invitational
The Mike Slive Foundation has announced the date and teams for the second NCAA Division I men’s basketball event, the 2019 Mike Slive Invitational. The Mike Slive Invitational will host the single-game matchup between Auburn University and St. Louis University on Dec. 14 at Legacy Arena at the BJCC and honor Mike Slive & his foundation for Prostate Cancer Research. Tickets go on sale on October 25 through Ticketmaster.
The Mike Slive Invitational returns after its 2018 premiere at the BJCC when Auburn defeated UAB basketball in an overtime thriller. Close to 16,000 fans packed out the stadium, the largest crowd to watch a college basketball game in Alabama since 1992. A portion of the proceeds was donated to the Mike Slive Foundation.
Chick-fil-A Birmingham Classic
Samford University and The University of Alabama men’s basketball team will play in the inaugural Chick-fil-A Birmingham Classic. The game will be played on December 18th in the Legacy Arena at the BJCC. Tickets will go on sale on November 1 and will be available through Ticketmaster and at the BJCC box office.
While the main event will host Samford and Alabama, it will also feature the Chick-fil-A Birmingham High School Showcase, presented by Metro by T-Mobile on December 17th that will include Oak Mountain, Huffman, Pinson Valley and Wenonah.
Rocket City Classic
The University of Alabama men’s basketball team will play in their fourth appearance of the Rocket City Classic. This year’s event will feature a double-header as the University of Alabama in Huntsville will play Spring Hill College and Alabama will face Belmont. The neutral-site games will be played December 21st in the Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center. Tickets are now available through Ticketmaster and at the Von Braun Center box office.
The Rocket City Classic provides the opportunity for both the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of Alabama to play in the same night and on a neutral site. The University of Alabama recently named Nate Oats as new head coach, and this will be Coach Oats’ first time playing in Huntsville with the Crimson Tide. Likewise, The University of Alabama in Huntsville recently named John Shulman has the new men’s basketball head coach. Coach Shulman joins the Chargers after various stops and a longtime position with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
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As we prepare to host four basketball events this fall, we’re reminded that there’s nothing quite like creating impactful experiences. For our team at Knight Eady, our events provide us the opportunity not only to create sports fans, but build brand fans. It’s knowing any one of these four events could be a child’s first game with their dad, contain the overtime buzzer-beater discussed for years or be the event that inspires the next Olympic athlete that stirs up excitement for our team. From marketing and PR, to operations and creative development, each department contributes a unique aspect that is integral to any major sporting event. Our team is passionate about creating successful and impactful events for everyone from the fans, teams and coaches to the staff that helps bring it to life. Whether you’re a team fan, a basketball fan or a Knight Eady fan, these events are the ones you don’t want to miss.