Inaugural Collegiate Quadruple-header to Honor Warriors’ Legend and Class of 2019 Inductee
San Francisco, Calif. (June 6, 2019) –The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the field of teams for the first-ever Al Attles Classic, a newly developed college basketball showcase held in conjunction with Chase Center on Saturday, December 21, 2019. The one-day quadruple-header will feature the Stanford University vs. University of San Diego, University of California, Berkeley vs. Boston College, University of Arizona vs. St. John’s University and St. Mary’s College vs. University of Nevada.
“We’re very excited to be launching a new collegiate event in the Bay Area, home to many Hall of Famers, including the remarkable Al Attles,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Chase Center is a world-class venue in a tremendous basketball community, and we expect many fans will make the trip to enjoy its amenities and support their universities this holiday season. To have a quadruple-header featuring three Bay Area teams will be a real treat.”
The event’s namesake and local legend, Al Attles, has been with the Warriors in one capacity or another for nearly 60 years. Following his collegiate career at North Carolina A&T, he joined the Philadelphia Warriors – now Golden State from 1960-71 as a player. Since then, he has held numerous roles in the franchise including coach (1970-83), team executive and ambassador to the community. He led the organization to an NBA Championship in 1975 and is one of five Warriors to have his number retired. Attles will be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame with the Class of 2019 this September.
“We’re honored to be hosting this inaugural event, featuring some of the top college basketball programs in the country and couldn’t think of a more deserving honoree than Al Attles,” said Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts. “Al is synonymous with the Warriors, so it’s only fitting that our first college basketball tournament at Chase Center carry his name.”
The Al Attles Classic is one event in the Hall of Fame’s series of collegiate events, which continues to grow in an effort to celebrate the game outside the museum walls. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to continue its relationship with Learfield IMG College for sponsorship representation of its portfolio of collegiate events. Game times, ticket information and television broadcast details will be released at a later date.
Quotes from Participating Head Coaches
“We are very excited for the opportunity to showcase our program at the new Chase Center in the heart of San Francisco. As the new home of the NBA Champions, the state-of-the-art facility will serve as an outstanding stage for a tremendous event. We are thrilled to be a part of history as the first college basketball event inside Chase Center and represent Stanford in one of the nation’s great cities just miles from our campus.” – Jerod Haase, Stanford
"We're excited to take on a quality opponent in what will be a phenomenal venue for this showcase. We strive to give our scholar-athletes the best experience possible and the combination of tough teams and a state-of-the-art venue are opportunities we look forward to." – Sam Scholl, San Diego
"We're honored to play in an event associated with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and against a team from a great league like the ACC. I can't overstate our excitement at the opportunity to play in the new Chase Center." – Mark Fox, California
"We are excited to partner with our friends at the Basketball Hall of Fame and play in one of the world’s most innovative arenas at Al Attles Classic this year. The opportunity to play Cal at Chase Center in San Francisco will be a great test for our team as we prepare for the heart of ACC play.” – Jim Christian, Boston College
“Arizona Basketball is thrilled to be participating in this event against a storied program from the Big East Conference. It will be great to play in the Bay Area, where we have such a dedicated alumni base that always shows us outstanding support. This is a game we are looking forward to as a program, and anticipate a fantastic atmosphere at a new, first-class arena.” – Sean Miller, Arizona
“We are excited for the opportunity to participate in the Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2019 Al Attles Classic at the brand new Chase Center in San Francisco. It’s a first-class event held at a state-of-the-art venue that will challenge our team prior to conference play.” – Mike Anderson, St. John’s
"We couldn't be more excited to participate in this year's Basketball Hall of Fame Al Attles Classic. Last season, we played in the Classic in Los Angeles and it was a first-class event. We're looking forward to facing a good Nevada team this year and to play closer to home inside a great venue.” – Randy Bennett, St. Mary's
“We are very excited to participate in the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Al Attles Classic at the new Chase Center in San Francisco. The opportunity to have Nevada play in the event in this new venue will be something special for our team, coaches and fans. Facing a quality opponent in Saint Mary’s will provide us with a challenge in a neutral setting.” – Steve Alford, Nevada
About Chase Center
Chase Center is an 18,064-seat sports and entertainment arena, set to open in the Fall of 2019, which will anchor an 11-acre mixed-use, privately-financed complex in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood. Easily accessible by foot, bicycle or mass transit, Chase Center will play host to Warriors basketball, concerts, cultural events, family shows, and more, totaling nearly 200 events a year. The sports and entertainment district will include two office buildings and 29 unique retail locations, along with 3.2 acres of publicly accessible plazas and open space.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall #AttlesClassic or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.