Here’s an announcement that will leave you saying: “It’s awesome, baby!” Charlotte Sports Foundation, the organization behind major Queen City events like the Duke’s Mayo Classic and Ally Tipoff, proudly announced the upcoming Dick Vitale Invitational, a new annual men’s college basketball event honoring Hall of Game broadcaster, Dick Vitale.
Who’s playing?
The Duke Blue Devils will face the Texas Longhorns on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at Spectrum Center. Tip-off time is at 8:45 p.m. Tickets start at $49, plus the game will air on ESPN.
“Bringing Duke and Texas together for a primetime match-up on ESPN shows that Charlotte belongs in the conversation with cities known for hosting elite college basketball,” Miller Yoho, of Charlotte Sports Foundation, told CLTtoday. “It’s a statement that our city doesn’t just show up for these moments, we elevate them.”
Honoring a legacy
Calling more than 1,000 games since joining ESPN in 1979, Dick Vitale is considered to be “the voice” of men’s college basketball for the last 30 years.
“Few people have done more for college basketball than Dick Vitale,” explained Yoho. “His voice and energy are part of what make the game special. People who grew up listening to Dick call games are going to feel that nostalgia, and that connection brings more eyes, more excitement, and more love for what’s happening here in Charlotte.”
