Wittenberg sophomore guard Chris Sullivan
Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University men's and women's basketball teams welcome an outstanding field of eight teams for the 2008 Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Classic. The competition is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Wittenberg's HPER Center Arena with games on both days scheduled for 12:30, 2:45, 5:30 and 7:45 p.m.
Men's tournament participants for 2008 include the College of Mount St. Joseph from Cincinnati, Ohio, Wheaton (Ill.) College, Taylor University from Upland, Ind., and Wittenberg. Action gets under way Monday at 5:30 p.m. as Wheaton and Mount St. Joseph square off, followed by a clash between the host Tigers and Taylor at 7:45 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. On Tuesday, the consolation game is slated for 2:30 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's consolation game, and the championship contest is slated for 7:45 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's championship game.
Wittenberg has won 22 of the 25 title games in the tournament's history, with the lone exceptions being in 1986 against Centre College, 1997 against the University of Chicago and 2002 against Ohio Dominican University. The Tigers have won five straight, including a 54-50 championship game victory over Wisconsin-LaCrosse a year ago.
The host Tigers enter the Zimmerman Classic with a 3-5 overall record, including a mark of 1-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). Wittenberg has won two of its last three games after starting the season 1-4 against some of the best competition in the country. The Tigers' first-round opponent, NAIA scholarship program Taylor, is off to a 6-9 start. Wheaton is ranked No. 2 in the nation with an 8-0 record, while Mount St. Joseph has won two straight games to improve to 4-5 on the 2008 season.
Women's tournament participants for 2008 include Mount St. Joseph, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Alma (Mich.) College and Wittenberg. Action gets under way Friday at 12:30 p.m. as Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Alma square off, followed by a game between the host Tigers and Mount St. Joseph at 2:45 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. On Saturday, action opens with the consolation game at 12:30 p.m. and the championship game at 5:30 p.m.
Wittenberg has won 10 of the 22 title games in the women's tournament history, with the last title coming in 2004 by virtue of wins over Centre and Hanover College. Last year, the Tigers dropped games to Manchester College and Carnegie Mellon University.
The host Tigers check in with a 4-3 overall record, including a mark of 0-1 in the NCAC. Wittenberg's first-round opponent, Mount St. Joseph, is off to a 2-6 start in 2008. Wisconsin-Oshkosh brings a 3-6 record into the competition, while Alma stands at 1-6 overall.
Formerly known as the Kiwanis Wittenberg Holiday Classic, the annual basketball competition was dedicated in 2005 to the late Charles B. Zimmerman, Wittenberg Class of 1956, a longtime Tiger fan and a local attorney. Tickets are $10 for all sessions or $6 for adults, $5 seniors/students and $2 for children under age 12.
No passes of any kind will be accepted. Doors will open one hour prior to the first game each day.
Written By: Ryan Maurer
Photos By: Erin Pence
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