Third Annual Legacy Basketball Classic Returns to Charlotte
Basketball Double Header Highlights Historically Black Colleges and Universities
January 10, 2002
Charlotte, N.C.-Charlotte may not have won the bid for the Central Intercollegiate Basketball Association (CIAA) basketball tournament, but that doesn't mean black college basketball won't be in the Queen City. The Legacy Basketball Classic, held and named in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, features four historically black colleges and universities-Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Winston Salem State University. This year's game, held Sunday, January 20 at the Charlotte Coliseum expects to draw at least 15,000 attendees this year.
The Legacy Basketball Classic is the brainchild of Charlotte businessman, Cary C. Mitchell of Cary Mitchell Designs. Mitchell, an alumnus of Johnson C. Smith University, came up with the idea of the classic as his way of giving back to his alma mater and a way to showcase historically black colleges and universities. "I wasn't in the position to write a check, but I could create an event that would write a check and provide even greater value for the schools," Mitchell says.
The Legacy Basketball Classic isn't just a one-day event. Mitchell has planned events that span the entire Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend. Thursday kicks off the weekend with a concert by Motown recording artist Brian McKnight at Ovens Auditorium. Friday plays host to the Legacy Classic Celebrity Basketball Game at Johnson C. Smith University. Deon Grant (Defensive Back for the Carolina Panthers) and members of the Carolina Panthers take on the Hollywood All-Stars featuring Stuart Scott (ESPN Commentator), Alex Thomas (Jamie Foxx Show), Boris Kojoe (Soul Food-The Showtime Series), and many more. Deon Grant and The Carolina Panthers will be coached by Charlotte Hornets star Baron Davis, while the Hollywood All-Stars will be coached by former Houston Rocket star, Charles Barkley. Proceeds from the game will benefit Severville Community Center, Greenville Resource Center, and Washington Heights Youth Academy. Saturday features an 11:00am youth "rap session" with special celebrity guest Judge Glenda Hatchett (The Judge Hatchett Show) and Jacque Reid (BET News) at the Amay James Recreation Center. The weekend concludes Sunday with the double-header basketball game with the first tip-off at 3:30pm.
Tickets for the game can be purchased at the Charlotte Coliseum box office, at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (704) 522-6500. For more information on the Legacy Basketball Classic, contact Belnavis and Associates at (704) 569-8350 or log onto www.legacybballclassic.com.
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