Chris Sullivan
Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University men's and women's basketball teams welcome an outstanding field of eight teams for the 2010 Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Classic. The competition is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 29, and Thursday, Dec. 30, at Wittenberg's Pam Evans Smith Arena in the HPER Center, with games on both days scheduled for noon, 2:15, 4:30 and 7 p.m.
Men's tournament participants for 2010 include Heidelberg University from Tiffin, Ohio, Taylor University from Upland, Ind., Kean University from Union, N.J., and Wittenberg. Action gets underway Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. as Heidelberg and Taylor square off, followed by a clash between the host Tigers and Kean at 7 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. On Wednesday, the consolation game is slated for 2:15 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's consolation game, and the championship contest is slated for 7 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's championship game.
Wittenberg has appeared 26 of the 27 title games in the men's tournament history, winning 23 championships. Their three title game defeats came in 1986 against Centre College, 1997 against the University of Chicago and 2002 against Ohio Dominican University. The Tigers have won six of the last seven championships, with the only exception being in 2008, when Taylor defeated Wittenberg 58-56 in the first round. The host team bounced back to finish third with an 82-75 win over the College of Mount St. Joseph in the consolation game.
The Tigers enter the 2010 Zimmerman Classic with a 4-4 overall record, including a mark of 3-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). The Tigers' first-round opponent, Kean, is off to an 8-3 start. Heidelberg stands 4-5 and Taylor comes into the tournament with a 10-4 record.
Women's tournament participants for 2010 include the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the College of Mount St. Joseph from Cincinnati, Ohio, Hanover College (Ind.) and Wittenberg. Action gets under way Wednesday at noon as Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Mount St. Joseph square off, followed by a game between the host Tigers and Hanover at 2:15 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. On Wednesday, action opens with Wisconsin-Eau Claire against Hanover at noon and Wittenberg against Mount St. Joseph at 4:30 p.m. or 30 minutes following the completion of the men's consolation game.
Wittenberg has won 10 of the 24 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 defeated Grove City College in the first round before falling 60-58 to Case Western Reserve University in the championship game.
The women's event is a "Classic" format, meaning that the match-ups for both days are pre-arranged. The Tigers check in with a 4-5 overall record, including a mark of 0-1 in the NCAC. Wittenberg's first-round opponent, Hanover is a perfect 8-0 so far in the 2010-11 season, while Mount St. Joseph is 2-6 and Wisconsin-Eau Claire is 6-4. Wittenberg and Mount St. Joseph will play on the second day, while Wisconsin-Eau Claire will take on Hanover.
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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