ARCHIVE: College Basketball Challenge and FanFest

September 20, 2001

HOUSTON--Former Houston Rocket and UNC star Kenny Smith announced that the city of Houston will host the first College Basketball Challenge and FanFest, December 9, 2000, at the Compaq Center. The doubleheader will feature Rice vs. BYU at 5 pm CT followed by UNC vs. Texas A & M at 8 pm CT. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday, September 21, at 10 am at the Compaq Center, all Ticketmaster locations (713-629-3700), and also Ticketmaster.com.

"This is exciting for the city of Houston because it is more than just a college basketball doubleheader," said Smith. "The games promoters, Prolink Management, see this event as an opportunity to celebrated and grow the game of basketball through an on site FanFest and charitable contributions to basketball development programs like the Kenny Smith Basketball Foundation and Toys for Tots."

Martin Fox, the director of operations at Prolink Management, agrees with Smith.

"We see this as a great opportunity to host doubleheaders, help promote the game of basketball, and help local organizations such as Kenny Smiths' and the annual toy drive," said Fox. "With the new NCAA legislation limiting non - exempt games, we can provide and exciting opportunity for schools to play neutral site games such as these."

Rice Head Coach Willis Wilson added, "This is an exciting time for college basketball in Houston and to have the opportunity to have an event to promote the game such as this one, with such quality teams, can only be an asset to the community."

Texas A&M Head Coach Melvin Watkins said, "The opportunity to play a top notch opponent; showcase our program in Houston; and collect toys for the kids in the Toys for Tots program, is one that we could not pass up and we're extremely excited about being a part of."

The United States Marine Corps will utilize the timing of the event to help their annual Toys for Tots campaign, collecting unwrapped toys for underprivileged kids, by being on hand at Compaq Center to collect toys from fans at the games. Fans are asked to bring those unwrapped toys to the gates of Compaq Center prior to either one of the games for donations to the drive.

Prolink Management is currently planning on three additional College Basketball Challenges in 2001. For more information contact Martin Fox at 713-825-3699.