Indianapolis To Host Crossroads Classic In 2011 And 2012

For Immediate Release: August 16, 2010 INDIANAPOLIS The Crossroads Classic, a product of the coming together of the four most-storied college basketball programs in the state of Indiana, was finalized today at Conseco Fieldhouse. Barry Collier of Butler, Fred Glass of Indiana, Jack Swarbrick of Notre Dame and Purdues Morgan Burke each signed the Memorandum of Understanding, which provides for the event to be held in the state capital in both 2011 and 2012. We at Conseco Fieldhouse and Pacers Sports & Entertainment are pleased to be the host for this extraordinary event, which brings four of the states outstanding universities together for two great games each of the next two years, Jim Morris, president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said. This expands our basketball heritage and will be tremendously exciting for alumni and all basketball fans. The Crossroads Classic will be held on Dec. 17, 2011, and again on Dec. 15, 2012, at Conseco Fieldhouse. Game times and ticket information will be announced at a later date. The newly formed Crossroads Classic is a nod to the Hoosier Classic of years past, when the four schools played a doubleheader non-conference showcase at Butlers Hinkle Fieldhouse. Comments from the four schools directors of athletics This doubleheader will be a great event for the city of Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and for college basketball in general. The tradition and passion behind college basketball in Indianapolis and at the four institutions make this a must-see event that will generate statewide and national interest. Barry Collier, Butler athletic director We think it makes tremendous sense to resurrect what had been a pretty historic doubleheader with what I think most people would acknowledge are the four premier programs in the state. I think it will be a really good event and a great showcase for the state of Indiana. Fred Glass, Indiana vice president and director of athletics Notre Dame is very excited to be able to join with Butler, Indiana University and Purdue in making the Crossroads Classic possible. This is a great basketball event in Americas best basketball venue, but it is more than that. It is also a celebration of higher education in Indiana. The partnership reflected in this basketball event mirrors the many ways in which Indianas great colleges and universities work together to benefit Hoosiers. Jack Swarbrick, Notre Dame director of athletics Growing up in Indianapolis, this event definitely strikes an emotional chord for me. I vividly remember attending the Hoosier Classic at Hinkle Fieldhouse as a young boy. It was my introduction to the significance of basketball in the state of Indiana. Hopefully by bringing together our four schools at the new Crossroads Classic on the magnificent stage of Conseco Fieldhouse, we will showcase this great sport to a new generation of fans. Morgan Burke, Purdue director of intercollegiate athletics