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• October 16, 2009
  Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 17, for Tenth Annual Wooden Tradition; Purdue and Ball State Headline Event at Conseco Fieldhouse

• September 19, 2008
  9th Annual John R. Wooden Tradition Teams Announcecd: Purdue, Davidson, Southern Illinois and Saint Mary’s come to Conseco Fieldhouse, Dec. 20

• August 29, 2007
  San Diego State and Saint Mary’s complete the line-up for the John R. Wooden Classic; San Diego State, Saint Mary’s, UCLA and Davidson will take to the court on
  December 8, 2007 at Honda Center

• July 16, 2007
  UCLA Faces Davidson in First Announced Match-up of 14th Annual John R. Wooden Classic; This year’s event to take place December 8, 2007 at Honda Center

• June 7, 2007
  Doubleheader Matchups Announced for 2007 Wooden Tradition

• January 24, 2007
  The Third Annual First 4 Men's College Lacrosse Invitation Returns to the University of San Diego; Yale, Air Force, Duke and Loyola to Meet in Doubleheader on March 10

• May 23, 2006
  Texas A&M completes the line-up for the John R. Wooden Classic

• Spring 2006
  Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open Press Releases and Articles

• December 21, 2005
  The 2nd Annual First 4 Men's College Lacrosse Invitational Moves to the University of San Diego

• November 22, 2005
  Indiana, Ohio In-State Rivalries Highlight Wooden Tradition Lineup for 2006

• September 6, 2005
  Hofstra to Host Third Annual Algonquin Cup on October 9

• June 27, 2005
  Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open Brings LPGA Tour Starts to Central Florida

• May 16, 2005
  UCLA, Nevada, Washington and New Mexico Headline the 2005 John R. Wooden Classic

• April 15, 2005
  Notre Dame vs. NC State and Purdue vs. Xavier Headline 2005 Wooden Tradition

• January 20, 2005
  The First 4 Introduces DI Men's Lacrosse to California

• August 26, 2004
  2nd Annual Algonquin Cup Moves to Long Island

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TICKETS GO ON SALE SATURDAY, OCT. 17, FOR TENTH ANNUAL WOODEN TRADITION
Purdue and Ball State Headline Event at Conseco Fieldhouse

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Tickets for the 2009 John R. Wooden Tradition go on sale to the public at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 – three days after what is the 99th birthday of the legendary coach for whom the prestigious college basketball event is named.

For the tenth consecutive year, Pantheon International plays host to the men’s college basketball invitational, to be held Saturday, Dec. 19, in Conseco Fieldhouse. State rivals Purdue and Ball State open the action at 4:00 p.m.

Making its ninth appearance in the Wooden Tradition, named for Boilermaker legend John Wooden, Purdue squares off with Ball State for the 10th time in program history. The contest will air live on the Big Ten Network.

This season’s meeting marks the third-straight year that Purdue and BSU have gotten together on the hardwood. Purdue owns a 7-2 edge in the all-time series, and the Old Gold and Black has taken the last two decisions. This game also marks the tenth anniversary, almost to the day, of the Dec. 18, 1999 meeting between the two schools in the newly opened Conseco Fieldhouse. In what was the first college game played at Conseco Fieldhouse, Ball State prevailed 72-52 over a Boilermaker team that reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament the following March.

Purdue, the school at which Wooden was a three-time All-American, is led by another former Boilermaker player and a native of nearby Muncie, Ind., fifth-year coach Matt Painter, who guides his club into the Tradition for a fifth straight season. Purdue returns all five starters and more than 80 percent of its points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals from a team that finished last season with a 27-10 record, won the program’s first-ever Big Ten Tournament championship and advanced to its first NCAA Sweet 16 in nearly a decade.

Ball State and coach Billy Taylor make their first appearance at the Wooden Tradition. Taylor is a 1995 Notre Dame graduate and former captain of the Fighting Irish basketball team. The Cardinals, in the second year of Taylor’s reign, tied for the Mid-American Conference West Division championship last year.

The Purdue-Ball State matchup marks the second time that a pair of Indiana colleges has ever met in the Wooden Tradition, following a Purdue vs. Butler matchup in 2006.

Tickets for the event range in price from $15-$60 per seat. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Saturday Oct. 17th at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office, ConsecoFieldhouse.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at (800) 745-3000. In addition, tickets are available by contacting the Purdue Ticket Office at (800) 497-7678, or the Ball State Ticket Office at (765) 285-1474.

Established in 2000, the John R. Wooden Tradition is an annual tribute to the legendary former coach and the excellence he personifies. Similar to the standards established by the Wooden Classic, its California-based sibling founded in 1994, the events host college basketball’s elite programs. The Wooden Tradition is a celebration of the game of basketball. In addition to the game, this year’s event activities included the Wooden Tradition Golf Tournament played in September and the Wooden Tradition Coaches Luncheon scheduled for Dec. 18 at Conseco Fieldhouse, both of which benefit Special Olympics Indiana.

2009 Wooden Tradition School SID Contacts:
Purdue – Cory Walton, (765) 494-3201 or cdwalton@purdue.edu
Ball State, Matt McCollester, (765) 285-8242 or mjmccolleste@bsu.edu

For additional information or credentials for this event, contact:
Kevin Messenger, Media Relations Director: (317) 917-2844 or kmessenger@pacers.com

Tim Edwards, Public Information Assistant: (317) 917-2853 or tedwards@pacers.com

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DOUBLEHEADER MATCHUPS ANNOUNCED FOR 2007 WOODEN TRADITION

INDIANAPOLIS – Pantheon International, producer of the annual John R. Wooden Tradition, has announced an elite field for next season’s men’s basketball doubleheader, featuring teams from four of the nation’s most respected conferences. The eighth-annual Wooden Tradition is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, at Conseco Fieldhouse.

In the opening game (3:30 p.m.), Big Ten contender Purdue takes on Big East power Louisville, in a nationally-televised matchup on CBS-TV. Game two (6:00 p.m.) pits Wooden Tradition newcomer Florida State against 2007 NCAA Sweet Sixteen participant Butler, who appears in the Tradition for the second consecutive year.

Second-year coach Matt Painter leads Purdue, the alma mater of the doubleheader’s namesake, into its seventh appearance in eight seasons. The Boilermakers will seek their first victory in the Wooden Tradition since a 2002 matchup with Louisville.

Louisville, led by seventh-year head coach Rick Pitino, is anticipated to be among the top teams in the nation next season. They will make their third Wooden appearance and their first since back-to-back games in 2002 and
2003.

While the Cardinals seek their first win in three tries at the Wooden Tradition, Butler will try for its second in as many trips, this time under the leadership of first-year coach Brad Stevens.

Leonard Hamilton begins his sixth year at Florida State, as the Seminoles become the third team from the Atlantic Coast Conference to participate in the Wooden Tradition, following Duke in 2002 and NC State in 2005 .

Tickets have been at a premium each year since the event was established – including last year’s blockbuster pair of matchups including Butler vs. Purdue, and Ohio State vs. Cincinnati.

Priority order forms for the 2007 Wooden Tradition are available online at www.woodentradition.com or www.ConsecoFieldhouse.com. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Oct. 13. Prices range from $10 to $125, and include both games of the doubleheader.

Established in 2000, the John R. Wooden Tradition is an annual tribute to the legendary former coach and the excellence he personifies. Similar to the standards established by the Wooden Classic, its California-based sibling founded in 1994, the event hosts college basketball’s premier programs.

The Wooden Tradition is a celebration of the game of basketball and the Wooden Tradition Golf Tournament and Coaches Dinner benefit Special Olympics Indiana. The 2007 John R. Wooden Tradition Golf Tournament will be held on Sept. 10 at Prairie View Golf Club. The John R. Wooden Coaches Dinner will be held on Dec. 14 at The Westin Indianapolis.

Pantheon International is a privately held sports marketing & event management firm that owns event properties in California and Indiana. Pantheon specializes in providing unique corporate marketing platforms through its high profile sports events. The company is a niche leader at originating and producing marquee live sports entertainment that create powerful bonds between corporations and the passionate affinity groups that permeate sports.

MEDIA/SPORTS INFORMATION CONTACTS FROM EACH UNIVERSITY:
Butler - Jim McGrath, (317) 940-9414 or jmcgrath@butler.edu
Florida State - Chuck Walsh, (850) 644-1077 or cwalsh@mailer.fsu.edu
Purdue - Elliott Bloom, (765) 494-3196 or ebloom@purdue.edu
Louisville - Kenny Klein, (502) 852-6581 or kenny.klein@louisville.edu

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT, CONTACT:
Kevin Messenger, Director of Fever Media Relations:
(317) 917-2844 or kmessenger@pacers.com
Tim Edwards, Public Information Assistant:
(317) 917-2853 or tedwards@pacers.com

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THE THIRD ANNUAL FIRST 4 MEN’S COLLEGE LACROSSE INVITATIONAL RETURNS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
Yale, Air Force, Duke and Loyola to Meet in Doubleheader on March 10

SAN DIEGO, CA - Sports marketing and event management leader, Pantheon International, has announced plans to host The FIRST 4 on Friday & Saturday, March 9 & 10 at the University of San Diego in San Diego, CA. This is the third annual spring invitational of Division I men’s college lacrosse in the state of California and second Division I lacrosse competition to take place at Torero Stadium. Four of the nation’s top Division I teams will meet in the doubleheader with the Yale Bulldogs meeting the Air Force Falcons followed by the ’05 NCAA Championship Finalist, now #6 Duke, facing off against the #12 Greyhounds of Loyola.

The DI doubleheader is the finale to two days of lacrosse action that will showcase eight top-ranked high school teams in Northern and Southern California in the “First 4 High School Challenge.” This year’s event will also include another highly anticipated College game featuring two regional rivals, Division III Whittier and Division II Notre Dame de Namur. Complete game schedule is as follows:

Friday March 9, 2007
Manchester Field
All Times PST
5:00pm Poway vs. St. Ignatius
7:00pm Coronado vs. De La Salle

Saturday March 10, 2007
Manchester Field
10:00am Torrey Pines vs. San Ramon Valley
12:00pm La Costa Canyon vs. Foothill
2:00pm Whittier vs. Notre Dame de Namur

Saturday Division 1 Doubleheader
Torero Stadium
All Times PST
4:00pm Yale vs. Air Force
7:00pm Duke vs. Loyola

“Last year’s First 4 in San Diego was very well received by thousands of lacrosse fans despite the challenging weather,” says Jim Sperry, Vice President & CFO of Pantheon International. “We have been thrilled with our move to San Diego and USD provides a wonderful facility and atmosphere to showcase lacrosse and enhance the fan experience. We are particularly happy to be able to bring the highest caliber of West Coast high schools, DIII and DII lacrosse to this venue.”

Tickets for the First 4 Lacrosse Invitational are $40 for the South Sideline Club Section and $25 for the North Sideline and $15 for East End Zone Bleachers. Children 10 and under are $15 for North and East End Zone. To purchase tickets, please visit www.tickets.com or call the USD box office at 619-260-7550, from 9am to 5pm PST, Monday through Friday.

Pantheon International is a privately held, Guilford, CT-based sports marketing & event management firm that owns event properties in California, Indiana and New York. The company’s core properties include the prestigious John R. Wooden Classic and John R. Wooden Tradition college basketball invitational events, held in honor of the Hall of Fame coaching legend.

2005 FIRST 4 Results:
Notre Dame 9, North Carolina 7 Georgetown 10, Syracuse 7

2006 FIRST 4 Results:
Duke 9, Loyola 7 US Naval Academy 9, Bucknell 5

SID Contacts:
Steven Conn, Yale 203-453-1457
Art Chase, Duke 919-684-2614
Tom Milajecki, Loyola 410-617-2777
Melissa McKeown, Air Force 719-333-9025


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TEXAS A&M COMPLETES THE LINE-UP FOR THE JOHN R. WOODEN CLASSIC
George Washington, Texas A&M and hometown teams UCLA and USC will take to the court on December 9, 2006 at the Arrowhead Pond

Anaheim, CA (May 23, 2006) – Texas A&M is the fourth and final addition to the line-up for the 13th annual John R. Wooden Classic held at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim. The Aggies will join George Washington, along with hometown teams UCLA and USC for the college basketball doubleheader on December 9, 2006. UCLA and Texas A&M face each other in Game One while USC and George Washington take to the court in Game Two.

The Aggies, anticipated to be among the top teams next season in the Big 12, will make their first appearance in the Wooden Classic. Led by head coach Billy Gillispie, last season they earned their first NCAA bid since 1987 and advanced to the second round of the tournament where they lost by one point to LSU, an eventual Final Four team. UCLA will make their 10th appearance at the Wooden Classic, fourth in a row, after a season that took them to the National Championship game. The Bruins are led by Pac-10 Coach of the Year Ben Howland. The tip-off will be at 12:30 PM (PST).

In Game Two, head coach Tim Floyd brings the USC Trojans back to the Wooden Classic for their fourth appearance. They face the regular season Atlantic 10 Champion GW Colonials who, led by conference Coach of the Year Karl Hobbs, finished last season undefeated in the A-10. This is the first Wooden Classic appearance for the Colonials.

Priority order forms for the 2006 Wooden Classic are available online at www.woodenclassic.com. Tickets will go on sale to the public in October.

Visit www.woodenclassic.com for more information on the Wooden Classic and the annual golf tournament and banquet benefiting Special Olympics Southern California and Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

Established in 1994, the Wooden Classic is an annual tribute to the legendary former coach and the excellence he personifies. The event, co-produced by Pantheon International, LLC and Anaheim Arena Management, LLC, has a tradition of bringing the nation’s finest college programs to Southern California.
WWW.WOODENCLASSIC.COM

SID Contacts:
GW – Brad Bower, bbower@gwu.edu, 202-994-0339
Texas A&M – Colin Killian, ckillian@athletics.tamu.edu, 979-845-3289
UCLA – Bill Bennett, bbennett@athletics.ucla.edu, 310-206-7870
USC - Dave Tuttle, davidtut@usc.edu, 213-740-3806


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GINN CLUBS & RESORTS OPEN PRESS RELEASES & ARTICLES

Articles:

• March 10, 2006: Golf World: Dakoda Dowd's Dream; The courageous story of Dakoda Dowd

• February 28, 2006:  New York Times: For Now, a Young Golfer Keeps Driving

• July 3, 2005: New York Times: Youth Is Served Earlier in LPGA

• June 29, 2005: The Detroit News: Youngsters Add Talent and Charisma to LPGA

• June 27, 2005: Orlando Sentinel: Orlando to Regain LPGA Tour Stop

Press Releases:

• LPGA Rookie Wood Earns Sponsor's Exemption to Inaugural Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open

• Winslow Earns Sponsor's Exemption to Inaugural Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open

• CBS Sports & Golf Channel to Televise Inaugural Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open

• Top 30 Players on the ADT Official Money List Scheduled to Compete in the Inaugural Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open, April 27-30

• Chihuly Creates Trophy for Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open

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INDIANA, OHIO IN-STATE RIVALRIES HIGHLIGHT WOODEN TRADITION LINEUP FOR 2006
Wooden Tradition welcomes the first Ohio State vs. Cincinnati matchup since the 1962 national title game

INDIANAPOLIS – Pantheon International, founder and producer of the annual John R. Wooden Tradition, presented by Warsteiner, has announced a blockbuster lineup for next season’s men’s basketball doubleheader, featuring four regional universities. Ohio State and Cincinnati will meet on the basketball hardwood for the first time since the NCAA Championship Game of 1962, and state rivals Butler and Purdue will collide while completing another attractive field in the Wooden Tradition. The seventh-annual Wooden Tradition is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, in Conseco Fieldhouse at Indianapolis, Ind.

The ’06 event features the Buckeye-Bearcat showdown – a pair of nationally-prominent programs that have not played head-to-head since March 24, 1962, when the Bearcats won a second consecutive national title by defeating the Buckeyes, 71-59. Separated by less than 100 miles, both programs have been regional and national contenders throughout their histories, but have not met in over 40 years. They have met only eight times in history.

“We strive to create the type of competitive matchups that you would expect to see at the Final Four,” said Kent Atherton, Pantheon’s President & CEO. “Once in a while that means you also have the opportunity to create a game with some historical significance. The Ohio State vs. Cincinnati contest is such a game.”

While Cincinnati and Purdue are repeat participants in the Wooden Tradition, Ohio State and Butler will appear for the first time. In a college basketball doubleheader that honors the legend of one of the game’s greatest coaches, it is another coach that helps bring the Buckeyes and Bulldogs to the Wooden Tradition.

Second-year Ohio State coach Thad Matta, a Butler alum and former head coach, will coach in the Wooden Tradition for the second time, himself. Matta led Xavier to a near-upset of Indiana in overtime during the 2003 Wooden Tradition. In 2006, Matta’s team is expected to be joined by Buckeyes freshmen Greg Oden and Mike Conley, a pair of highly-touted recruits from Indianapolis’ Lawrence North High School.

Like Ohio State, the Bulldogs will appear in the prestigious doubleheader for the first time. Coached by Todd Lickliter, a former Matta assistant and his Butler successor, Butler will become the fourth university from Indiana to participate since the Wooden Tradition’s inaugural season in 2000.

Purdue, for whom Wooden was a three-time All-American from 1930-32, has appeared in every Wooden Tradition except in 2003, when Indiana made its lone appearance.

An advance order form is available online at www.woodentradition.com or www.ConsecoFieldhouse.com.  Ticket prices range from $10 to $125, and include both games of the doubleheader. Tickets are still available to the 2005 Wooden Tradition, which will be held this Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Conseco Fieldhouse, featuring Purdue vs. Xavier followed by Notre Dame vs. North Carolina State. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online through Ticketmaster.com. For more information visit www.woodentradtion.com.

Established in 2000, the John R. Wooden Tradition is an annual tribute to the legendary former coach and the excellence he personifies. Similar to the standards established by the Wooden Classic, its California-based sibling founded in 1994, the event hosts college basketball’s premier programs. The Wooden Tradition is a celebration of the game of basketball and the activities benefit Special Olympics Indiana.

Pantheon International is a privately held sports marketing & event management firm that own event properties in California, Indiana, New York and Florida. Pantheon specializes in providing unique corporate marketing platforms through its high profile sports events. The company is a niche leader at originating and producing marquee live sports entertainment that create powerful bonds between corporations and the passionate affinity groups that permeate sports.

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THE SECOND ANNUAL FIRST 4 MEN’S COLLEGE LACROSSE INVITATIONAL MOVES TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
Duke, Loyola, Navy and Bucknell to Meet in Doubleheader on March 11

SAN DIEGO, CA - Sports marketing and event management leader, Pantheon International, has announced plans to host The FIRST 4 on Saturday, March 11, 2006 at the University of San Diego in San Diego, CA. This is the second annual spring invitational of Division I men’s college lacrosse in the state of California and first ever Division I lacrosse competition at Torero Stadium. Four of the nation’s top ranked teams will meet in the doubleheader with the ’05 NCAA Championship Finalist, Duke, meeting the Greyhounds of Loyola, followed by the ’04 NCAA Championship Finalist, Navy Midshipmen, facing off against Bucknell.

The DI doubleheader is the finale to two days of lacrosse action that will showcase the five top ranked high school teams in Northern and Southern California in the “High School Challenge”. This year’s event will also include two highly anticipated College Club games featuring four regional rivals. Complete game schedule is as follows:

Friday March 10, 2006 Manchester Field All Times PST

3:00pm
University of San Diego vs. Claremont College
5:00pm
Coronado vs. St. Ignatius
7:00pm
Rancho Bernardo vs. Menlo

Saturday March 11, 2006 Manchester Field

9:00am
Torrey Pines vs. San Ramon Valley
11:00am
Poway vs. University (SF)
1:00pm
La Costa Canyon vs. Monte Vista Danville
3:00pm
University of California Santa Barbara vs. University of California San Diego

Division 1 Doubleheader Torero Stadium (All Times PST)

5:00pm
Duke vs. Loyola
7:30pm
Navy vs. Bucknell

“The Inaugural First 4 in California was very well received by thousands of lacrosse fans on the west coast,” says Kent Atherton, President & CEO of Pantheon International. “We are thrilled with our move to San Diego and USD provides a wonderful facility and atmosphere to showcase lacrosse… our expanded event format meets our objective of continuing to build the sport of lacrosse on a more national scale.”

Pantheon International is a privately held, Westport, CT-based sports marketing & event management firm that own event properties in California, Indiana, New York and Florida. Pantheon specializes in providing unique corporate marketing platforms through its high profile sports events. The company is a niche leader at originating and producing marquee live sports entertainment that create powerful bonds between corporations and the passionate affinity groups that permeate sports. The company’s core properties include the prestigious John R. Wooden Classic and John R. Wooden Tradition college basketball invitational events, held in honor of the Hall of Fame coaching legend.

Reserved tickets to The FIRST 4 are available in advance by calling toll-free 866-574-0274 or by visiting the official event Web site at www.thefirst4.com.

2004 First 4 Results:
Notre Dame 9, North Carolina 7 Georgetown 10, Syracuse 7

SID Contacts:
Stacie Michaud, Navy 410-293-8773
Art Chase, Duke 919-684-2614
Tom Milajecki, Loyola 410-617-2777
Jon Terry, Bucknell 570-577-3121

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HOFSTRA TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL ALGONQUIN CUP ON OCTOBER 9

HEMPSTEAD, New York (September 6, 2005) - Hofstra University has been selected to host and participate in the third annual Algonquin Cup College Lacrosse Invitational on Sunday October 9, 2005. The nine-game tournament features six teams from five conferences who will compete at Hofstra's James M. Shuart Stadium and on two fields adjacent to the 15,000-seat facility. NCAA Championship finalists Duke University, Championship participant Cornell University, Top 20 Hofstra, as well as Hobart College, Stony Brook University and St. John's University will compete in this year's Algonquin Cup tournament.

Pantheon International, producer and organizer of the prestigious John R. Wooden Classic and John R. Wooden Tradition college basketball invitational events, created the Algonquin Cup in 2003 to showcase the country's elite teams and conclude the sport’s fall season with great fanfare. Notre Dame captured the inaugural Algonquin Cup title in 2003 in the four-team tournament that was hosted by Harvard. Last year, the Black Knights of Army defeated Hofstra in the championship game of the six-team, second annual Algonquin Cup that was held at Stony Brook University.

"We are delighted to host as well as be participating in our third Algonquin Cup," Hofstra Men's Lacrosse Coach John Danowski said. "It is an exciting day of lacrosse, the student-athletes enjoy the competition and it gives the coaches the opportunity to see their teams in game-like conditions before the season begins."

The schedule of the day's events is as follows:

10 a.m. Stadium -
Duke vs. Hobart; Field 1 - Hofstra vs. Cornell
11:30 a.m. Stadium -
Semifinal II - Stony Brook vs. Duke/Hobart winner
Field 1 - Consolation I -
Duke/Hobart loser vs. Hofstra/Cornell loser
Field 2 - Semifinal I -
St. John's vs. Hofstra/Cornell winner
1 p.m. Stadium - Consolation II -
Semifinal I loser vs. Semifinal II loser
3 p.m. Stadium - Championship Game -
Semifinal I winner vs. Semifinal II winner
Field 1 - Consolation Final -
Consolation I winner vs. Consolation II winner
Field 2 - Consolation III -
Consolation I loser vs. Consolation II loser

“Hofstra’s great lacrosse heritage and facility provide a wonderful venue for our fall showcase event,” said Kent Atherton, President & CEO of CT-based Pantheon International. “Our goal remains to build upon the success of the Algonquin Cup each year and Hofstra’s additional field capacity and our move to Sunday will help increase availability to players and fans of all ages.”

In addition to a great day of college lacrosse, a youth/high school lacrosse jamboree will also be held on the Hofstra fields on the north side of campus. Currently, there are 550 men's and 250 women's college teams and close to 300,000 active lacrosse players in the country. The NCAA Lacrosse Championship is second only to the Men's Basketball Final Four in attendance each year.

Pantheon International is a privately held, Westport, CT-based sports marketing & event management firm that owns event properties in California, Indiana, New York and Florida. Pantheon specializes in providing unique corporate marketing platforms through its high profile sports events. The company is a niche leader at originating and producing marquee live sports entertainment that create powerful bonds between corporations and the passionate affinity groups that permeate sports.

Tickets to The Algonquin Cup will be available in advance online at www.algonquincup.com. For more information call 866-574-0274.

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GINN CLUBS & RESORTS OPEN BRINGS LPGA TOUR STARS TO CENTRAL FLORIDA
Premier Full-Field Event to be LPGA Tour’s Richest Purse of the Year

REUNION, Fla. – (June 27, 2005) – Reunion Resort & Club of Orlando, Central Florida’s newest and most comprehensive golf destination, will soon be home to the LPGA Tour’s newest annual Tour stop beginning in 2006.

The inaugural Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open is to be played April 27-30, 2006, at Reunion Resort & Club of Orlando on a composite layout of two of the resort’s golf courses, the Legacy designed by Arnold Palmer and the Independence by Tom Watson. The Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open will be the only full-field LPGA Tour event in the state of Florida.

Destined to become one of the LPGA Tour’s premier events, the Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open will offer $2.5 million in prize money, making it the top LPGA purse of the year in the USA. Featuring CBS Sports coverage of the final two rounds, the Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open is to be among the elite women’s pro tour events with a major television network broadcast package. ESPN/ESPN2 is scheduled to broadcast the first two rounds and a worldwide audience will see all four days of the 72-hole championship TV coverage.

“We are thrilled to be the home of the LPGA’s only full-field tournament in the state of Florida,” said Bobby Ginn, president and CEO of Ginn Clubs & Resorts. “Our goal in hosting this tournament is to provide an exceptional experience for the players, their families and our guests.”

Reunion is home to some of the greatest golf in Central Florida. The 7,147-yard Independence Course, Watson’s first Florida design, has garnered many accolades since opening in February 2005. Equally beautiful and challenging is the 6,876-yard Legacy Course, designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer.
Reunion’s third course, the Tradition Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design, is scheduled to open in early 2006.

The four-year agreement between Ginn Clubs & Resorts, tournament organizer Pantheon International and the LPGA, ensures that women’s professional championship golf will be prominently featured at a first class Florida venue for years to come.

“We are very excited to welcome Ginn Clubs & Resorts to the LPGA sponsor family as title sponsor of our newest addition to the 2006 LPGA Tour schedule,” said LPGA Commissioner Ty M. Votaw. “LPGA players are excited to return to Central Florida with a full-field event and with Ginn Clubs & Resorts reputation for attention to detail I am confident that players, sponsors, fans and media will have a great week at Reunion.”

What LPGA Tour players and fans will discover at the event is the type of getaway destination that has prompted Reunion Resort & Club to be called "America's new breed of family resort towns." The Resort’s extraordinary clubhouse and championship practice facility will provide the special qualities tour players will appreciate and visitors will notice

“Bobby Ginn has established an impressive track record in developing prestigious resort properties and providing the highest quality of service,” said Kent Atherton, President & CEO of Pantheon International. “It is the same vision we share for the Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open, in producing a first class experience that establishes the highest event standards available on the LPGA Tour.”

There are several other unique and exciting event activities that will be announced by the organizers over the next few months. More information about the Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open can be found on the official event Web site at www.ginnopen.com.

About Ginn Clubs & Resorts
Ginn Clubs & Resorts is a privately held resort development and management firm which specializes in exclusive leisure lifestyle and vacation destination communities across the U.S. From private residential communities to resort destinations offering unparalleled ownership and vacation opportunities, the common denominator throughout every Ginn Club & Resort is service. The company’s principals have more than three decades of experience in creating extraordinary large-scale, recreation-oriented communities. Current Ginn Clubs & Resorts projects include Cobblestone Park in Columbia, S.C. as well as Belvidere Club and Resort, which encompasses RiverTowne Country Club, The Cottages on Charleston Harbor and Patriot’s Point Golf Course in the Charleston area. The company also owns and operates Hammock Beach and Yacht Harbor Village near St. Augustine, Fla., Reunion Resort & Club of Orlando, Bella Collina north of Orlando and Tesoro in Port St. Lucie on Florida’s historic “Treasure Coast.” The company also owns and operates Mahogany Run Golf Course in St. Thomas and has several projects under development in North Carolina, Vermont, Colorado and in the Caribbean.

About Ladies Professional Golf Association
Featuring the world's best women golfers, the LPGA's membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2005 features 34 events, with total prize money of $45.1 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $160 million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world's preeminent women's professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) membership boasts a total of nearly 1,200 women golf professionals who serve as teachers, golf professionals, club managers and coaches. Through the LPGA T&CP membership, the LPGA is working to increase the involvement of women and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.

About Pantheon International
Pantheon International is a privately held, Westport, CT-based sports marketing & event management firm that own event properties in California, Indiana, New York and Florida. Pantheon specializes in providing unique corporate marketing platforms through its high profile sports events. The company is a niche leader at originating and producing marquee live sports entertainment that create powerful bonds between corporations and the passionate affinity groups that permeate sports. The company’s core properties include the prestigious John R. Wooden Classic and John R. Wooden Tradition college basketball invitational events, held in honor of the Hall of Fame coaching legend.

About Reunion Resort & Club
Located on 2,300 gently rolling acres in Osceola County, the Resort is 25 minutes south of Orlando, Fla., immediately south of Disney’s Town of Celebration, 15 minutes from Walt Disney World and 25 minutes from Orlando International Airport. In addition to championship golf, planned amenities include a five-acre, multi-pool water and swim pavilion, a first-class tennis complex, stables and riding trails, a state-of-the-art spa and fitness center, walking and biking trails, and terrific boutique shopping and dining in Reunion Square. More information about Reunion Resort & Club is available at (888) 418-9611 and www.reunionresort.com.

Media Contacts:

• Ginn Clubs & Resorts
  Ryan Julison (321) 939-4705
  Julie D ay (321) 939-4736

• Pantheon International
  Brian Joy (203) 571-1800

• LPGA
  Connie Wilson (386) 274-6271

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UCLA, NEVADA, WASHINGTON AND NEW MEXICO HEADLINE THE 2005 JOHN R. WOODEN CLASSIC
College Basketball Doubleheader is Saturday, December 10, 2005

Anaheim, CA (May 16, 2005) – Four of the nation’s premier men’s college basketball teams will appear in the 12th annual John R. Wooden Classic on December 10, at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim. The UCLA Bruins are the veterans on the court, making their ninth Wooden Classic appearance in total and their third in a row. This year, they will face the Nevada Wolf Pack in Game Two of the doubleheader. This is the first time in Wooden Classic history that the Western Athletic Conference regular season champions have been to Anaheim. It is also the first time the two teams have faced each other since the 1947-48 season; UCLA is 3-0 against Nevada.

New Mexico returns to the Arrowhead Pond this year for their second appearance. In 1997, the Lobos fell to UCLA, 69-58. Winners of the Mountain West Conference tournament, they will take on another newcomer, the Washington Huskies, in Game One. The Huskies finished last season with a Pac-10 tournament win and a No. 1 seed into the NCAA tournament.

Tickets for the Wooden Classic will go on sale to the public in October; one ticket allows admission to both games of the afternoon doubleheader. Visit www.woodenclassic.com for more information on the Wooden Classic and the annual golf tournament and banquet benefiting Special Olympics Southern California and Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

Living up to the promise of showcasing the best in college basketball, the 2004 Wooden Classic featured the UCLA Bruins against the Boston College Eagles and the Arizona Wildcats against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. All four teams were impressive in the 2004-05 season. Boston College started their season 20-0 after the Eagles defeated the Bruins, 74-64, and went on to win the Big East Conference, earning a highest-ever national rank (#3) along the way and No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. UCLA finished the season third in the Pac-10 and made their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2002. After winning the Classic, 68-64, over Mississippi State, the Wildcats clenched their 11th conference title and advanced into the Elite Eight before being knocked out. The Bulldogs participated in their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament this past season, advancing for the third time in four years to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Established in 1994, the Wooden Classic is an annual tribute to the legendary former coach and the excellence he personifies. The event, co-produced by Pantheon International, LLC and Anaheim Arena Management, LLC, has a tradition of bringing the nation’s finest college programs to Southern California.

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NOTRE DAME vs. NC STATE and PURDUE vs. XAVIER HEADLINE 2005 WOODEN TRADITION

INDIANAPOLIS (April 15, 2005) – Pantheon International, producer of the annual John R. Wooden Tradition, presented by Warsteiner, has announced an elite field for next season’s men’s basketball doubleheader, featuring teams from four of the nation’s most-respected conferences. The sixth-annual Wooden Tradition is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26, 2005, in Conseco Fieldhouse at Indianapolis., Ind.

In the opening game, inaugural Wooden Tradition Trophy winner Mike Brey leads the Notre Dame Fighting Irish into battle against the North Carolina State Wolfpack, coached by first-time participant Herb Sendek. The second game features a match-up of regional foes as Purdue battles Xavier. Purdue coach Matt Painter and Xavier coach Sean Miller both are first-time head coaches in the Wooden Tradition, after serving in previous Wooden Traditions as assistant coaches for their current teams.

It is Notre Dame’s first appearance in the Wooden Tradition since 2000 when it beat Cincinnati in the first game in the doubleheader’s history. Purdue returns to the Wooden Tradition for the fifth time in six years, while Xavier appears for the second time in three seasons. NC State’s appearance is its first, and just the second by a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Tickets have been at a premium each year since the event was established. An advance order form is also available online at www.woodentradition.com or www.ConsecoFieldhouse.com. Ticket prices range from $10 to $125, and include both games of the doubleheader.

Established in 2000, the John R. Wooden Tradition is an annual tribute to the legendary former coach and the excellence he personifies. Similar to the standards established by the Wooden Classic, its California-based sibling founded in 1994, the event hosts college basketball’s premier programs. The Wooden Tradition is a celebration of the game of basketball and the activities benefit Special Olympics Indiana. The 2005 John R. Wooden Tradition Golf Tournament will be held on Sept. 26 at Prairie View Golf Club, the John R. Wooden Coaches Dinner will be held on Nov. 25 at The Westin Indianapolis.

Pantheon International is a privately held Westport, Conn.-based sports marketing/ event management company that specializes in providing corporations with unique marketing platforms through sports and entertainment. The company’s mission is to help clients build long-term relationships with their target audiences by connecting their brands, products and customers to the loyal affinity groups associated with sports teams, events and/or cultural activities, where the passion of the global consumer resides.

2005 Wooden Tradition SID Contacts:
Notre Dame – Bernadette Cafarelli, (574) 631-7516, cafarelli.1@nd.edu
NC State – Annabelle Vaughan, (919) 515-2102, annabelle_vaughan@ncsu.edu
Purdue – Elliot Bloom, (765) 494-3196, hoopssid@purdue.edu
Xavier – Tom Eiser, (513) 745-3124, eiser@xu.edu

Past results from the Wooden Tradition:
2004
Illinois 89, Gonzaga 70
Cincinnati 79, Purdue 59

2003
Iowa 70, Louisville 69 (ot)
Indiana 80, Xavier 77 (ot)

2002
Duke 84, UCLA 73
Purdue 86, Louisville 84

2001
Stanford 78, Purdue 62
Missouri 72, Xavier 60

2000
Notre Dame 69, Cincinnati 51
Purdue 72, Arizona 69

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THE FIRST 4 INTRODUCES DI MEN’S COLLEGE LACROSSE to CALIFORNIA
Syracuse, Georgetown, North Carolina and Notre Dame to Play in Elite Invitational

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 20, 2005) - Sports marketing and event management leader, Pantheon International, has announced plans to host The FIRST 4 on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. This historic event will mark the debut of Division I men’s college lacrosse in the state of California and first ever lacrosse competition at the Home Depot Center. Four of the nation’s top ranked teams will meet in the inaugural doubleheader, with Notre Dame meeting the Tar Heels of North Carolina, followed by the reigning NCAA champions, Syracuse University, facing off against the Georgetown Hoyas.

The DI doubleheader is the finale to an entire day of lacrosse action that will showcase eight of the top ranked high school teams in California, and a rematch of the 2004 USL MDIA national championship game between the University of California at Santa Barbara and Colorado State University.

Pantheon International, founder and organizer of the annual John R. Wooden Classic and John R. Wooden Tradition college basketball invitational events, also created college lacrosse’s annual Algonquin Cup in 2003, to showcase the country’s elite teams each year in a Fall tournament presented by Brine, the lacrosse industry’s leading equipment manufacturer. Brine has also signed on to sponsor The FIRST 4.

“We’re bullish on the sport for a number of reasons,” says Kent Atherton, President & CEO of Pantheon International. “We believe it is potentially an explosive situation out on the West Coast…and from a marketing standpoint, the passion and loyalty of this affinity group is unlike any other and we want to help college lacrosse grow on a much more national scale.”

CSTV will be televising both games of The FIRST 4 “live” as part of College Sports Television’s National College Lacrosse Series, hosted by Joe Beninati and Quint Kessenich. CSTV’s CollegeSports.com, the most-trafficked college sports Web site, will also deliver live online coverage of The FIRST 4, along with their exclusive new Game Tracker Live feature that will provide “real time” game scores and statistics.

Pantheon International is a privately held, Westport, CT-based sports marketing/ event management company that specializes in providing corporations with unique marketing platforms through sports and entertainment. The company’s mission is to help clients build long-term relationships with their target audiences by connecting their brands, products and customers to the loyal affinity groups associated with sports teams, events and/or cultural activities, where the passion of the global consumer resides.

Tickets to The FIRST 4 are available in advance through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com, or at the Home Depot Center Box Office. For more information is available by calling toll-free 866-574-0274 or by visiting the official event Web site at www.thefirst4.com.

SID Contacts:
Bo Rottenborn, Notre Dame 574-631-7516
Dave Lohse, UNC 919-962-2123
Karen Perniciaro, Syracuse 315-443-2608
Kevin Rieder, Georgetown 202-687-2475

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2nd ANNUAL ALGONQUIN CUP MOVES TO LONG ISLAND
Stony Brook to Host Elite Men’s College Lacrosse Invitational

STONY BROOK, NY (August 26, 2004) - The second annual Algonquin Cup presented by Brine will be played on Saturday, October 16, 2004 at Stony Brook University’s LaValle Stadium. The premier one-day men’s college lacrosse tournament, which debuted last year at Harvard University and won by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, will expand this year to feature six nationally ranked teams from six different conferences - North Carolina, Brown, Hobart, Army and Hofstra, along with event host, Stony Brook.

Pantheon International, producer and organizer of the annual John R. Wooden Classic and John R. Wooden Tradition college basketball invitational events, created the Algonquin Cup to showcase the country’s elite teams each year in a Fall tournament.

“College lacrosse continues to build upon its loyal fan base and expand beyond the borders of its traditional roots, fueled by the rapid growth in participation and popularity across the country,” said Kent Atherton, President & CEO of New York-based Pantheon International. “The Algonquin Cup provides top college programs a high-profile tournament to showcase the highest level of amateur lacrosse competition.”

The day’s events begin at 10:00am with the Brown vs. Stony Brook game on the turf field, followed by North Carolina vs. Hofstra at 10:30pm on grass. The winners will advance to face Army and Hobart, respectively at 11:30am and 1pm. The Championship Game will be played at 4:00pm. All teams will play a minimum of two games each including a consolation round. A youth lacrosse jamboree will also be held simultaneously on Stony Brook’s fields and further details will be announced once finalized.

Stony Brook was selected as host site due to its first class facilities and location in one of the nation’s hotbeds of local interest, which combine to offer a compelling destination for visiting teams and fans. “One of the most attractive aspects of this job I believe is the opportunity to build a national contender in the backyard of what is historically one of the best breeding grounds for college lacrosse’s top players,” said Lars Tiffany, who last week was named Stony Brook’s new men’s lacrosse coach.

Brine, the nation’s leading supplier of lacrosse equipment for over 50 years, continues their support as Presenting Sponsor of The Algonquin Cup. All six participating teams in this year’s event are Brine-affiliated schools. “We are again thrilled to be involved with this prestigious fall tournament,” said Sean Fox, President of Brine. “The Algonquin Cup was widely acclaimed in its inaugural event last year and quickly established as the premier annual college Fall invitational.” Brine will be on-site with their Fan Zone that features a number of fun, interactive contests and a new product display area.

Currently, there are 550 men’s and 250 women’s college teams and close to 300,000 active lacrosse players in the country. The NCAA Lacrosse Championship is second only to the Men’s Basketball Final Four in attendance each year.

Pantheon International is a privately held, New York City-based sports marketing/ event management company that specializes in providing corporations with unique marketing platforms through sports and entertainment. The company’s mission is to help clients build long-term relationships with their target audiences by connecting their brands, products and customers to the loyal affinity groups associated with sports teams, events and/or cultural activities, where the passion of the global consumer resides.

Tickets to The Algonquin Cup will be available in advance at the Stony Brook Ticket Office or online at www.algonquincup.com. For more information call 212-366-8670.

SID Contacts:
Rob Emmerich, Stony Brook 631-632-6312
Dave Lohse, UNC 919-962-7257
Jim Sheehan, Hofstra, 516-463-6764
Jim Zuhlke, Army 845-938-7197
Ken DeBolt, Hobart 315-781-3146
Chris Humm, Brown 401-863-1095

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Articles  |  Jump to the Press Releases

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