SPORTS

 

Davidson will square off with Texas in the opening round of the 2020 Maui Invitational, as announced Wednesday morning by the tournament committee.

As a result of the ongoing CoVID-19 pandemic, the tournament has been relocated to the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, N.C., and will be held Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2020.

In addition to the ‘Cats and Longhorns, this year’s field will feature North Carolina, Indiana, Alabama, Providence, Stanford and UNLV. 

All 12 Championship Round games of the Maui Invitational will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU, and streamed on ESPN3. TV listings will be announced closer to the Tournament.

“We could not be more thrilled with the field for the 2020 Maui Invitational and feel it could develop into one of our best fields in the history of the Tournament,” said Tournament Chairman, David Odom. “While we’re faced with a unique year in college sports, we’re grateful for the teams and their loyalty to the Tournament. These incredible programs continue to make it possible to host the premier early-season event that sets the tone for the college basketball season year-over-year.”

In partnership with the Buncombe County Health and Human Services and local hotels, the Tournament will create a “Maui Bubble” in Asheville to help reduce the risks and spread of COVID-19 and protect participating teams, staff and residents. With the support of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission and Explore Asheville CVB, the Maui Jim Maui Invitational will host the 2020 event at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center- Asheville, a world class arena known for holding national events such as the 2018 and 2019 Fed Cup and Southern Conference Basketball Tournament, among others. The Harrah’s Cherokee Center- Asheville, located in the heart of downtown Asheville, has completed more than $18 million in renovations and enhancements, making it the perfect arena for premier events such as the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.

Asheville’s welcoming community and emphasis on nature is reminiscent of the Maui culture, where participating programs can continue to embrace the Aloha Spirit. The Maui Jim Maui Invitational and Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission will partner to create the next best Maui experience for participating teams on the mainland.

In accordance with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and due to the ongoing pandemic, the Tournament is working closely with local and state authorities to operate and align with their mass gathering guidelines. Tournament organizers will be monitoring the possibility of limited fans as these guidelines evolve as the event draws closer. Current All Tournament or Booster Travel Package purchasers will be fully refunded for the original travel purchases. The Maui Jim Maui Invitational looks forward to returning to the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui in 2021.

About the Maui Jim Maui Invitational
In December 1982, then No. 1 ranked Virginia, led by National College Player of the Year Ralph Sampson, played little-known NAIA Chaminade University in Honolulu while on the way back from a trip to Tokyo. The Silverswords stunned Virginia 77-72 in what is recognized as the greatest upset in college basketball history. Two years later, in 1984, Chaminade University hosted the first Maui Jim Maui Invitational and it has proven to be the premier early-season college basketball tournament for 36 years running. Each year, the Maui Jim Maui Invitational attracts the top programs, best-known coaches and most outstanding players to compete in an exciting atmosphere that sets the tone for the college basketball season.

About Maui Jim Sunglasses
Maui Jim Sunglasses were born on the beaches of Maui and designed to protect eyes from the harsh rays of the island sun. Today, Maui Jim is recognized for unparalleled “Aloha Spirit” and customer service as well as patented PolarizedPlus2® lens technology, which blocks 100% of UV rays and eliminates glare while enhancing color, definition and depth perception.  Maui Jim sunglasses have earned the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin.  For more information, visitMauiJim.com or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @OfficialMauiJim.

About Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville
Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville (HCCA) has hosted a diverse variety of events that reflects the creativity, uniqueness, and artistry that Asheville, N.C., and Western North Carolina is known for primarily. In recent years, the facility has hosted world-class sporting events such as NBA Preseason Games, two Fed Cup ties, the annual Men’s and Women’s Southern Conference Basketball Championships. For more information, visit HarrahsCherokeeCenterAsheville.com.

About Asheville
Exhilarating outdoor explorations amid the highest mountain peaks east of the Mississippi, profound cultural roots from literary giants to American royalty and inspired locals whose passion projects jump from pop-up kitchens to performance art – Asheville, N.C., has been a point of pilgrimage since the 1800s as a destination for inspiration, wellness, rejuvenation and self-expression. It doesn’t take long to see why George W. Vanderbilt chose this Blue Ridge city for his greatest legacy, Biltmore.

About Tournament Sponsors
Other sponsors include Continental Tire, the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau, Roman and Tommy Bahama. 

About KemperLesnik
KemperLesnik is a sports marketing, events and public relations agency. Ranked by Crain’s Chicago Business among Chicago’s top PR agencies, KemperLesnik produces integrated communications programs, owns and operates major national events, including the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, the McDonald’s All American Games, the POWERADE Jam Fest, and activation and public relations for KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership. KemperLesnik has operated the Maui Jim Maui Invitational since 1990. For more information, visitwww.kemperlesnik.com.