Cats to Face Dayton at United Center in State Farm Chicago Legends
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern's men’s basketball team will square off against Dayton at United Center in Chicago on Dec. 17 as part of the inaugural State Farm Chicago Legends.
The doubleheader also will include a contest between Illinois and BYU. Game times and television information will be announced later this summer.
Dayton posted a 25-8 record under head coach Archie Miller during the 2015-16 season, including a 14-4 mark in Atlantic 10 Conference play, while earning a berth in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
“Personally, being part of an event that honors the great basketball tradition of the city of Chicago hits close to home for me,” Northwestern head coach Chris Collins said. “Having played high school basketball in the Chicagoland area and watching my father coach the Bulls, I know just how important the sport is to the city. The State Farm Chicago Legends is a fantastic opportunity to not only feature great college basketball, but also highlight the incredible contributions so many Chicagoans have had in the sport. It’s an honor for Chicago’s Big Ten Team to be part of this inaugural event.”
In recognition of the players and coaches who have made Chicago a hot bed for hoops, a selection committee will annually recognize former standouts as Legends of Chicago Basketball. The newly named Legends will be honored on the court during the doubleheader.
Northwestern last played a regular-season game at United Center Feb. 22, 2003 when it faced Illinois.
“The State Farm Chicago Legends will be an impactful event not only in Chicago, but also in college basketball and we are excited to be part of it,” said Ed Gold, advertising director at State Farm. “State Farm is a proud supporter of college basketball and to help launch a fixture event in Chicago that will annually honor the city’s basketball heritage and feature great hoops competition is a fantastic opportunity for us.”
"Chicago is a great sports town and has a special place in basketball history," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "We are excited to welcome a new college basketball doubleheader to town that will highlight Chicago's rich history and provide fans with a great day of college hoops. We look forward to hosting the inaugural State Farm Chicago Legends college basketball doubleheader and welcoming fans from throughout the Midwest and across the country."
“When it comes to basketball, Chicago has a tradition that is second to none,” said Steve Skinner, CEO of KemperLesnik, a Chicago-based sports marketing agency that will produce the event and also manages the Maui Jim Maui Invitational and the CBS Sports Classic. “Our goal is to build the State Farm Chicago Legends into an annual event that will celebrate the City of Chicago and its basketball heritage.”
Northwestern fans can contact the Northwestern Athletics ticket department at 1-888-GO-PURPLE for information on seating within the school’s block. Additionally, a limited supply of tickets will be available for purchase through www.ticketmaster.com beginning Thursday, June 9 at 10 a.m. CT through Monday, June 13 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public in October.
Information on the event, and to sign up for email notifications regarding ticket news and team updates, can be found at www.chicagolegends.com. Fans can also follow the State Farm Chicago Legends on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @ChiLegends.
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern's men’s basketball team will square off against Dayton at United Center in Chicago on Dec. 17 as part of the inaugural State Farm Chicago Legends.
The doubleheader also will include a contest between Illinois and BYU. Game times and television information will be announced later this summer.
Dayton posted a 25-8 record under head coach Archie Miller during the 2015-16 season, including a 14-4 mark in Atlantic 10 Conference play, while earning a berth in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
“Personally, being part of an event that honors the great basketball tradition of the city of Chicago hits close to home for me,” Northwestern head coach Chris Collins said. “Having played high school basketball in the Chicagoland area and watching my father coach the Bulls, I know just how important the sport is to the city. The State Farm Chicago Legends is a fantastic opportunity to not only feature great college basketball, but also highlight the incredible contributions so many Chicagoans have had in the sport. It’s an honor for Chicago’s Big Ten Team to be part of this inaugural event.”
In recognition of the players and coaches who have made Chicago a hot bed for hoops, a selection committee will annually recognize former standouts as Legends of Chicago Basketball. The newly named Legends will be honored on the court during the doubleheader.
Northwestern last played a regular-season game at United Center Feb. 22, 2003 when it faced Illinois.
“The State Farm Chicago Legends will be an impactful event not only in Chicago, but also in college basketball and we are excited to be part of it,” said Ed Gold, advertising director at State Farm. “State Farm is a proud supporter of college basketball and to help launch a fixture event in Chicago that will annually honor the city’s basketball heritage and feature great hoops competition is a fantastic opportunity for us.”
"Chicago is a great sports town and has a special place in basketball history," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "We are excited to welcome a new college basketball doubleheader to town that will highlight Chicago's rich history and provide fans with a great day of college hoops. We look forward to hosting the inaugural State Farm Chicago Legends college basketball doubleheader and welcoming fans from throughout the Midwest and across the country."
“When it comes to basketball, Chicago has a tradition that is second to none,” said Steve Skinner, CEO of KemperLesnik, a Chicago-based sports marketing agency that will produce the event and also manages the Maui Jim Maui Invitational and the CBS Sports Classic. “Our goal is to build the State Farm Chicago Legends into an annual event that will celebrate the City of Chicago and its basketball heritage.”
Northwestern fans can contact the Northwestern Athletics ticket department at 1-888-GO-PURPLE for information on seating within the school’s block. Additionally, a limited supply of tickets will be available for purchase through www.ticketmaster.com beginning Thursday, June 9 at 10 a.m. CT through Monday, June 13 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public in October.
Information on the event, and to sign up for email notifications regarding ticket news and team updates, can be found at www.chicagolegends.com. Fans can also follow the State Farm Chicago Legends on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @ChiLegends.
