Aircraft Carriers and Basketball

Nov 10, 2011 by

If you have ever sat around trying to figure out what college hoops and aircraft carriers have in common, you were probably stumped for days until finally just making up a similarity that would allow you to get some sleep at night.  Thank goodness the NCAA thought of a way to bring these two things together.  You read correctly, after tomorrow evening, you can associate aircraft carriers with college basketball and vice versa.  How is this so?  Well, it’s simple really, the United States Navy, University of North Carolina, and Michigan State University clearly have a vivid imagination.  Along with that, ESPN will be broadcasting the game thanks to an agreement with the Morale Entertainment Foundation.  In honor of Veterans Day this 11/11/11 the two teams will face off on board an aircraft carrier basketball court.

The coaches of both teams are very excited and honored to be a part of something so very special.  Michigan State’s coach Tom Izzo said:

I can’t think of a better way to start the season than playing in the Carrier Classic…on Veterans Day.  The opportunity to give something back to those that serve in the military and their families is a humbling experience…As coaches and athletes, we are familiar with terms like wins and losses, but to our servicemen and women, those phrases have very different meanings…”

Roy Williams the coach for University of North Carolina said:

It is an honor for Carolina Basketball to play in such a unique game that will benefit and salute the United States’ armed forces…The experience will create for them [the team] a lifetime of memories.  Even more important is the chance to combine the start of college basketball season with saluting and thanking our military personnel for all they do to allow us to safely live and play each day in the United States of America.

The game will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.  Will you be tuning in to watch this amazing event and support the troops along with the teams?  I know I will!