News Release
Thanksgiving Anchorage-Style
Anchorage, Alaska – Nov. 3, 2008 – All eyes turn to Anchorage, Alaska, Thanksgiving week for the 31th annual Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage Nov. 25 – 29, 2008, at the Sullivan Arena. Visitors and locals come out in full force armed with turkey sandwiches and painted faces to cheer on their favorite team in this fast-paced, college basketball showdown. Four women’s and eight men’s teams will battle for number one in the longest running pre-season collegiate basketball tournament. All of the visiting teams will be making their Shootout debut.
“This is a much-anticipated annual event for locals and offers a great opportunity to introduce visitors to Anchorage’s Big Wild Life™,” said Julie Saupe, President and CEO of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB).
The line-up for the women’s teams includes: The Cal State Northridge Matadors, Syracuse, The Jackson State Lady Tigers, and the 2007 tournament champion and host, University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. Games will be played Nov. 25-26, 2008.
Vying for the championship seat in the men’s tournament are: The Hampton Pirates, The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, The Northern Illinois Huskies, The Portland State Vikings, The San Diego State Aztecs, Seattle University, The Western Carolina Catamounts and 2008 GNAC champion and host, University of Alaska Anchorage. Games are scheduled Nov. 26-29, 2008.
The Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout was conceived by Bob Rachal, coach of the 1977-78 University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Seawolves, and has grown to be one of the most successful college tournaments in the nation. Some of the greatest teams in collegiate basketball have traveled to the Last Frontier for this fast-paced, pre-season tournament.
Full-tournament Shootout ticket packages go on sale Nov. 10, 2008, at noon, while single-session tickets go on sale Nov. 17, 2008 at noon. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Sullivan Arena box office, Tickemaster.com or charge-by-phone at 907-562-4800. Visit www.GoSeawolves.com for more information. For travel information, explore www.anchorage.net.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by lodging associations. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund, a contribution established in 1978, and one-third goes to the construction and annual maintenance costs of the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center and the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.
# # #Media Contacts:
Jeanette Anderson Moores
Public Relations
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
jmoores@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net
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