Eight Programs to Compete at the MassMutual Center in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the field of teams and schedule for the Women’s Challenge. The annual NCAA women’s exempt tournament sponsored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will take place Sunday, November 27 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. with campus round games leading up to the main event. All proceeds from the Women’s Challenge will benefit the non-profit Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Teams scheduled to participate in this year’s Women’s Challenge tournament are: Bowling Green State University (Mid-American), Hampton University (MEAC), Lafayette College (Patriot League), University of Louisville (Atlantic Coast), University of Maine (America East), University of South Carolina(Southeastern), St. Peter's University (MAAC) and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (Southern).
“We are pleased to be hosting the fourth annual Women’s Challenge as we graciously welcome these programs to Springfield, the birthplace of basketball,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “We appreciate the hospitality of our local partners and the MassMutual Center in making this a fantastic event for these teams and their fans.”
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will continue to serve as the host conference for the annual event. The MAAC has developed a strong partnership with the Basketball Hall of Fame, including the addition of a MAAC exhibit in the Hall of Fame museum in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Game times, broadcast and ticket information for the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge will be released at a later date via www.hoophall.com/womenschallenge.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge Schedule
Campus Round Schedule:
Hosted at University of Louisville
November 19
University of Louisville vs. Bowling Green State University
Lafayette College vs. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
November 20
University of Louisville vs. Lafayette College
Bowling Green State University vs. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
November 21
University of Louisville vs. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Bowling Green State University vs. Lafayette College
Hosted at University of South Carolina
November 20
Hampton University vs. University of South Carolina
St. Peter's University vs. University of Maine
November 21
University of South Carolina vs. University of Maine
Hampton University vs. St. Peter's University
November 22
University of South Carolina vs. St. Peter's University
University of Maine vs. Hampton University
Sunday, November 27 at MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
Hampton University vs. Lafayette College
St. Peter's University vs. Bowling Green State University
University of Maine vs. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
University of South Carolina vs. University of Louisville
Head Coaches Comments
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to compete in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge. The tournament is a first-class event in every facet with some of the best teams in the country participating this year.” - Jennifer Roos, Bowling Green State University
"It will be an incredible honor for us to participate in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge. There are some high quality teams in the field, including South Carolina. It's a tremendous opportunity for our team to play against them and to challenge ourselves and get the Hampton name out there." - David Six, Hampton University
“We are looking forward to the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge this November. Lafayette College is anxiously awaiting our turn to be on the floor with the other outstanding teams in the 2016 field. It promises to be a terrific event put on by the Hall of Fame." - Theresa Grentz, Lafayette College
“It’s an absolute honor to be part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge. Our team is really excited about playing in a tournament of this caliber against some terrific teams. We are looking forward to traveling to Springfield and facing a remarkable South Carolina program.” - Jeff Walz, University of Louisville
"We are very excited to be playing in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge. Playing at South Carolina will be a great experience. Dawn Staley has built an incredible program and they lead the nation in attendance. We are also looking forward to game against UTC at MassMutual Center. Jim Foster has been a role model for me since my days at Sewanee. It is a great field this year and will help give us one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country." - Richard Barron, University of Maine
“We’re excited to be part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge and to face great competition early in the season. With three home games and one against a top 5-10 team at a neutral site, it’s a great way to showcase women’s basketball. We’re looking forward to taking our team to the place the game we all love was born and to take on Louisville in Springfield.” - Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina
"I am really looking forward to our team being apart of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge. The tournament is going to be filled with great competition and it is something that our players will really enjoy." - Pat Coyle, St. Peter's University
“The Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge provides a great opportunity to play a cross section of teams who could not or would not ordinarily schedule with us. We appreciate the Hall of Fame providing this opportunity for our team to get four great games.” - Jim Foster, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
About the MassMutual Center
The MassMutual Center is managed by Spectra Venue Management and owned by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. The MassMutual Center is Western Massachusetts’ most diverse function space with over 100,000 square feet of meeting space including a 40,000 square foot flexible exhibit hall, eight fully-functional meeting rooms, a 15,000 square foot ballroom, and an 8,000-seat arena. The facility is the proud home to the Springfield Thunderbirds in addition to hosting family shows, concerts, meetings, social and corporate functions, sporting events and more.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. For more on the conference, please visit www.maacsports.com.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.
For more information:
Visit us on the web: www.hoophall.com
… on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BBHOF
… on Twitter/Instagram: @hoophall #WomensChallenge
… or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA