Next Monday the CIAA Basketball Tournament tips off again in Charlotte and I can hardly wait. Last year's tournament was so much fun that I almost went into withdrawals when it was over. It was hoops everyday and parties every night. I was hanging out with old friends and classmates and staying up so late that going to bed was like a pit stop. If CIAA '07 is anything close to last year's, I'm going to need counseling.
Tourney officials say it'll be even better. For starters, there are more musical acts and more daytime events for kids and folks who want to enjoy the festivities and still go to work the next day.
Another improvement will be more parking closer to Bobcats Arena. Charlotte's "Tournament Village" approach puts fans in walking range of many uptown restaurants, hotels and party venues. But walking range is relative. If you wear Hush Puppies and hit the treadmill everyday, you can walk. If you're wearing $400 stilettos, then probably not.
Beginning this week, I'll be blogging about any news leading up to the tournament, including on-the-court happenings as it relates to the tournament brackets. Right now, Virginia Union (the defending champs) are tops in the Eastern Division; Fayetteville State is leading the West with Charlotte's own Johnson C. Smith a close second.
Once the games begin Feb. 26, I'll be there writing about the sights and sounds. I'll interview people in the stands and fans on the street and answer any questions or comments about the CIAA, the city, places to eat or drink, or anything else. Got any CIAA-related photos? Email them too. I'm at khart@charlotteobserver.com.
And if you see me at the games, holler at me.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The Anticipation Is Killing Me
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1 comments:
The Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith ought to pull a page out of Dale Earnhardt Sr.s book:
They're sitting pretty at No. 2 and need to make a nice fast break in the last lap of the tournament to take the crown.
Meanwhile, on the women's side, the Lady Eagles of N.C. Central and the Lady Vikings of Elizabeth City State have been having a fabulous year, so maybe they will meet again for the tourney title.
Now that the CIAA tournament has moved from Raleigh to Charlotte, about the only entertainment attraction remaining to be enjoyed around our Capital City this time of year is to see what the Governor has to say in his State of the State speech.
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