HALL OF FAME SERIES COMES TO BALTIMORE ON NOVEMBER 15 AT THE CFG BANK ARENA

 - Tickets go on-sale on Tomorrow (Wednesday) at HOFSeries.com - 

PHOENIX – Position Sports, in association with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, announced the field for the 2024 Hall of Fame Series Baltimore at the CFG Bank Arena on Friday, November 15. The event marks the first time the Hall of Fame has held an event in Charm City.

The Baltimore doubleheader will feature a pair of highly anticipated regional games: Villanova vs. Virginia and Penn State vs. Virginia Tech.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame Series Baltimore will go on sale on Wednesday, May 22, at 10:00 AM ET at HOFSeries.com.

Details surrounding game time, broadcast information, and credentials will be announced at a later date.

The Hall of Fame Series, owned and operated by Position Sports, is a collection of multi-game, singular events that showcase several of the top collegiate basketball teams in exciting non-conference matchups played both domestically and abroad. The inaugural Hall of Fame Series was held in 2023 in Las Vegas, Charlotte, San Antonio, Toronto, and Phoenix.

For more Hall of Fame Series information and updates, please visit HOFSeries.com or follow @HOFSeries on all social platforms.

Virginia leads the all-time series, 5-3, in a matchup between two programs that have accounted for three of the last eight national titles. In the last meeting, Villanova, who was ranked No. 1 at the time, prevailed 61-59 on January 29, 2017, at the Wells Fargo Center as Donte DiVincenzo tapped in a putback layup at the buzzer. The first meeting between Virginia and Villanova occurred in the 1981 NCAA East Region Quarterfinals (Cavaliers won 54-50).

Villanova will be playing in Baltimore for the first time since opposing Loyola (Md.) on December 3, 1983. Virginia has not appeared in Baltimore since taking on Loyola (Md.) on December 30, 1998.

Quotes from Head Coaches:

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to bring our team to Baltimore to face an outstanding Virginia team. When we last played Virginia in 2015 and 2017, the games were intense battles that helped our team grow. We’re looking forward to the chance to compete in that kind of environment again, this time in the Hall of Fame Series Baltimore.”

Kyle Neptune | Villanova

“We are excited to play Villanova in the Hall of Fame Series Baltimore event. The game will challenge our team early in the season and provide our fans in the Mid-Atlantic region an opportunity to see us play in a historic arena.”

Tony Bennett | Virginia

Despite Penn State winning three of the last four meetings, Virginia Tech still holds a 7-4 advantage in the all-time series. The Hokies came out on top in the last matchup in the semifinals of the Charleston Classic on November 18, 2022, with a 61-59 win. The schools first played each other on February 12, 1921, in State College, Pa., with Virginia Tech posting a 29-23 victory.

Virginia Tech last played in Baltimore vs. Loyola (Md.) on November 26, 1949. Penn State previously played in Baltimore on November 24, 1997, against Loyola (Md).

Ace Baldwin (Penn State), the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, is from Baltimore and graduated from St. Frances Academy.

Quotes from Head Coaches:

“We are thrilled to have our team compete in the Hall of Fame series in Baltimore versus Virginia Tech on November 15. It will be a high-level event with two great college basketball games. We're excited to connect not only with our Penn State alumni in the DMV area but the very passionate basketball fan base in Baltimore. We'll see you in November.”

Mike Rhoades | Penn State

“Our program is looking forward to competing in the Hall of Fame Series Baltimore event on November 15 against a quality opponent in Penn State. I've known Mike Rhoades and have great respect for him and the way his teams play. The city of Baltimore and the CFG Bank Arena will be terrific hosts and afford us the opportunity to play in front of our DMV fans and recruits. It will be a great trip for all involved during the middle of November.”

Mike Young | Virginia Tech

About Position Sports

Position Sports, established in 2005, is a premium event production and brand marketing firm that specializes in event operations, activation development, media relations, and digital engagement. Over the years, Position Sports has worked with many of the world’s leading brands, including Nike, Jordan Brand, Red Bull, the Basketball Hall of Fame, ESPN Events, USA Basketball, Upper Deck, MLB, and T-Mobile in nearly every major U.S. city and on a global scale. Position Sports provides clients with the expanded strategic direction needed to succeed in the sports marketing arena, also known as Positioning. To learn more, visit positionsports.com or follow @positionsports on Twitter and Instagram.

About Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith 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 450 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 hoophall.com, follow @hoophallu or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.

About CFG Bank Arena

CFG Bank Arena is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue located in the heart of downtown Baltimore. The Arena first opened in 1962, when it was known as the Baltimore Civic Center. Located at 201 W. Baltimore Street, the Arena has recently been transformed into a world-class facility byOak View Group, now hosting world-class concerts, family shows, sporting events and more. The venue celebrated its grand opening weekend on April 7 & 8, 2023 with sold-out performances by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and the Eagles. In its first year, the Arena has hosted more than 124 events, including 38 sell-outs and welcomed over 828,870 fans. The $250+ million world-class modern Arena accommodates 14,000 guests and serves as a key anchor on downtown Baltimore’s west side, helping to drive further investment and development in the area. CFG Bank Arena was recently ranked #10 worldwide as the highest grossing venue (10-15K capacity) by Billboard Magazine. Visit www.cfgbankarena.com, and follow CFG Bank Arena on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.