Inaugural BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge Announced
9/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Eight BIG EAST squads will also participate, including South Florida, Connecticut, Georgetown, St. John's, Seton Hall, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Notre Dame.
Michigan is tentatively scheduled to participate in three BIG EAST/Big Ten Baseball Challenge games. The Wolverines will take on South Florida, Cincinnati and St. John's on three consecutive days Feb. 20-22. Game times and locations will be announced at a later date.
"The Big Ten Conference is excited to announce the creation of the BIG EAST/Big Ten Baseball Challenge beginning with the 2009 season," said Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany. "This season-opening event will provide a unique opportunity for Big Ten programs to compete in some of the country's finest facilities in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. We look forward to some exciting and competitive games between two conferences with rich baseball traditions."
The BIG EAST/Big Ten Baseball Challenge will be similar in format to the popular conference collegiate basketball challenges that have emerged during the past decade, with participating teams competing against schools from the opposing conference. However, this tournament is unique in that it provides teams from two northern-based conferences with an opportunity to travel to Florida and compete against one another in outstanding, professional-quality venues located in a warm climate.
The tournament is scheduled for the same week that major league pitchers and catchers report to spring training, which will add to the buzz surrounding the event. Games will be played in venues in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, including Bright House Field, Knology Park and Progress Energy Park/Al Lang Field, with marquee matchups scheduled as part of nightly doubleheaders. There will be eight inter-conference contests daily, with the two extra Big Ten teams competing against each other in a non-league game.
Contact: Matt Fancett (734) 763-4423
