Photo by: BSU Photo Services
Ball State Scheduled to Face Illinois State in Indy Classic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
June 26, 2022 | Men's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Sports Corp, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and Russ Potts Productions, Inc. have partnered to host the annual Indy Classic basketball showcase. The inaugural event will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, December 17, and feature Ball State versus Illinois State followed by Purdue versus Davidson. The Indy Classic will serve as an annual fundraiser for Indiana Sports Corp's non-profit mission. Times for both games will be announced at a later date.
The Cardinals are no strangers to Gainbridge Fieldhouse as BSU played the first college game inside the fieldhouse in 1999 against Purdue. Ball State has played inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse a total of four times, with the most recent being a 69-55 victory over Indiana State in 2019.
"We're excited about bringing our team down to Gainbridge Fieldhouse," said Ball State men's basketball Head Coach Michael Lewis. "We look forward to playing in front of a large crowd of Cardinal fans and BSU alumni. It's a great opportunity to take part in an event that showcases teams from Indiana in downtown Indy."
This showcase will focus on bringing the top collegiate basketball teams into Indianapolis to compete in an annual doubleheader. Indiana Sports Corp has entered an indefinite agreement with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Russ Potts Productions, Inc. to host this event each December, taking the place of the former Crossroads Classic weekend.
"Big-time college basketball has become something of a Holiday tradition at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the Indy Classic will treat fans to some of our region's best basketball talent at the very best basketball arena in the country," said Rick Fuson, Chairman of the Indiana Sports Corp and CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
"Indiana Sports Corp is excited to partner with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Russ Potts Productions, Inc. on the annual Indy Classic," said Ryan Vaughn, Indiana Sports Corp President. "We are looking forward to hosting two Indiana-based programs in its inaugural year and have received positive feedback from college programs throughout the country on the future opportunity to play in the nation's most storied basketball state."
"Russ Potts Productions, Inc. looks forward to partnering with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Indiana Sports Corp to bring a marquee college basketball doubleheader to the basketball capital of our country, Indianapolis," said Zach Franz, Russ Potts Productions, Inc President. "The 2022 Indy Classic will be the start of a new tradition in the Circle City that will attract top teams from around the country for many years to come."
Indy's history in hosting college basketball is unmatched and extensive, including 25 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournaments, 13 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournaments, a leading eight Men's Final Fours, three Women's Final Fours, and numerous Regional and First and Second Round games of the NCAA tournament. This history also includes hosting the entirety of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship - the only city to do so, with Ball State serving as the host institution at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Tickets for the Indy Classic will go on sale in August through Ticketmaster.com. For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, visit IndianaSportsCorp.org.
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*For Ball State Basketball tickets at Worthen Arena call 1-888-BSU-TICKET or 765-285-1474, or click here.
The Cardinals are no strangers to Gainbridge Fieldhouse as BSU played the first college game inside the fieldhouse in 1999 against Purdue. Ball State has played inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse a total of four times, with the most recent being a 69-55 victory over Indiana State in 2019.
"We're excited about bringing our team down to Gainbridge Fieldhouse," said Ball State men's basketball Head Coach Michael Lewis. "We look forward to playing in front of a large crowd of Cardinal fans and BSU alumni. It's a great opportunity to take part in an event that showcases teams from Indiana in downtown Indy."
This showcase will focus on bringing the top collegiate basketball teams into Indianapolis to compete in an annual doubleheader. Indiana Sports Corp has entered an indefinite agreement with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Russ Potts Productions, Inc. to host this event each December, taking the place of the former Crossroads Classic weekend.
"Big-time college basketball has become something of a Holiday tradition at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the Indy Classic will treat fans to some of our region's best basketball talent at the very best basketball arena in the country," said Rick Fuson, Chairman of the Indiana Sports Corp and CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
"Indiana Sports Corp is excited to partner with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Russ Potts Productions, Inc. on the annual Indy Classic," said Ryan Vaughn, Indiana Sports Corp President. "We are looking forward to hosting two Indiana-based programs in its inaugural year and have received positive feedback from college programs throughout the country on the future opportunity to play in the nation's most storied basketball state."
"Russ Potts Productions, Inc. looks forward to partnering with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Indiana Sports Corp to bring a marquee college basketball doubleheader to the basketball capital of our country, Indianapolis," said Zach Franz, Russ Potts Productions, Inc President. "The 2022 Indy Classic will be the start of a new tradition in the Circle City that will attract top teams from around the country for many years to come."
Indy's history in hosting college basketball is unmatched and extensive, including 25 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournaments, 13 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournaments, a leading eight Men's Final Fours, three Women's Final Fours, and numerous Regional and First and Second Round games of the NCAA tournament. This history also includes hosting the entirety of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship - the only city to do so, with Ball State serving as the host institution at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Tickets for the Indy Classic will go on sale in August through Ticketmaster.com. For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, visit IndianaSportsCorp.org.
Follow the Cardinals
*For Ball State Basketball tickets at Worthen Arena call 1-888-BSU-TICKET or 765-285-1474, or click here.
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