Nike Memorial Day Classic
Comes to the Big Easy

The Alario Center is proud to have been chosen to host the 2004 Nike Memorial Day Classic, May 29-31.  The MDC will bring 88 select Nike teams from around the country to the Alario Center to compete in three age groups (32 teams of 17 year olds, 32 teams of 16 year olds and 24 teams of 15 year olds).  In addition to the four floors at the Alario Center, the tournament will also use gymnasiums at three Jefferson Parish Public Schools and Archbishop Shaw High School.

Nike teams offer the student athletes the opportunity to fulfill their dreams academically, socially and athletically.  For over 30 years, Nike has provided innovation and inspiration to basketball players ranging from kids on playgrounds to the likes of Michael Jordan and LeBron James.  From the beginning, the Nike concept was simple: make the best products for the best players and challenge them to do things no one has done before.  As the MDC will showcase, the results have been amazing.

The MDC has previously been held in Bloomington, Indiana and the defending champions are Martin Brothers from Iowa in the 17 & under age group; Illinois Warriors in the 16 & under age group and The Family from Detroit in the 15 & under age group.

“The Nike programs have been highly successful in helping develop our players who not only are outstanding basketball players but also fine young men,” states Michael Theus, director of the Louisiana Select Team, “I’m personally proud of the young men that have come through our programs and not only earn themselves college scholarships to great universities but some have even gone on to the NBA and pro ball in Europe.”

“This is an outstanding event for us to host,” stated Alario Center Marketing Manager, Michael Samardzija, “Not only is it one of Nike’s three premier events for travel teams, but it also brings 72 teams to Jefferson Parish, staying in our hotels and eating in our restaurants on what is normally not a very busy weekend in the local tourism industry.”

Daily tickets will be available for $10 at the door each day of the event.  Tournament passes will also be available for $20.  Daily passes and tournament passes will give the ticket holder admission to not only the games at the Alario Center but also the six other sites.

The Memorial Day Classic is being hosted by the Louisiana Select Team with assistance from the Alario Center staff.  The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau are also assisting as well as the Jefferson Parish Recreation Department, Jefferson Parish Public Schools, and Archbishop Shaw High School.  For more information on the Nike MDC at the Alario Center see the www.AlarioCenter.com or more information on the Nike Summer Programs visit www.hoopsfuture.com or for more on Nike Basketball please visit: www.nikebasketball.com. 

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