July 22, 2004

Contact: Mark B. Kosak

Director of Athletics

Phone: 604-302-9383

Email: mark.kosak@ucfv.ca

NCAA men’s basketball comes to Abbotsford Labour Day weekend

Abbotsford – Basketball fans in the Fraser Valley are in for a big treat at the end of the summer as the University College of the Fraser Valley Cascade men’s basketball team will play host to NCAA basketball powerhouses The University of Kansas (KU) Jayhawks and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) Runnin’ Rebels in a pair of exhibition basketball games.

The games will be played on Sun., Sept. 5, with the first match at 11 a.m against UNLV and the other at 7 p.m. versus KU. A location for the games and ticket prices have not yet been confirmed but an announcement will be made shortly. KU and UNLV will be conducting a preseason tour of the Lower Mainland that will also include games against UBC and Simon Fraser University.

[NEW INFO: Games location: MEI gymnasium, 4081 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford,
Tickets available at the UCFV Student Activity Centre front desk or Save On Foods in Abbotsford.
Tickets are:
-- General admission - $15 per game or 2-game pack is $25
-- Youth (13 and under) - $10 per game
-- VIP Courtside tickets (reserved seating & parking) - $30 per game

For more information, contact 604.557.4041 or check the website: www.ucfv.ca/athletics  ]

“Without a doubt, this is the best level of basketball to ever come to Abbotsford as both these teams are top NCAA programs. This is a rare opportunity for Fraser Valley basketball fans to see players who will be playing in the NCAA’s March Madness next spring and possibly even in the NBA someday. It will be interesting to see how our team stacks up,” says UCFV Director of Athletics Mark Kosak. 

The Cascades will be in for a challenge as both US schools are previous NCAA national champions and are regularly featured on national television, which is normally reserved for the top college programs. Kansas advanced to the ‘Elite Eight’ at last year’s NCAA tournament and this year are ranked #9 in the Coaches’ Preseason Poll. 

Based upon the number of calls fielded from basketball fans south of the border who are planning to travel north for the tour, both games are expected to sell out. ESPN radio is preparing to broadcast the games live back to the USA. 

“The fans who have called us about tickets to the games have told us that it’s impossible for them to see their teams at home because every game is sold out well in advance. The only opportunity to see their teams play live is to travel to Canada for this tour,” says Kosak. 

The UCFV Cascades, who are the defending CCAA National Champions, are expected to bolster their line up with recent program grads who will add much needed experience. 

“We’ve contacted a few guys like Mike Lee and Mike McLaverty, amongst others, to join us for these games. We’ll be in tough against these teams but I honestly believe we’ll be able to hold our own. It’s a challenge that our players and I will look forward to. What a great way to start our season and our countdown to our CIS debut in 2006,” says Cascades head coach Pat Lee. 

The UCFV Athletics program has been conditionally accepted to join the Canada West Universities Athletic Association of Canadian Interuniversity Sport in basketball and soccer beginning in the fall of 2006.  

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KU website link:  http://www.kuathletics.com/mensbasketball/

UNLV website link: http://unlvrebels.collegesports.com/