June 8, 2003
CLEVELAND - A Nov. 29 contest in the Convocation Center against perennial ACC power North Carolina highlights the 2003-04 Cleveland State men's basketball schedule released Monday morning. The date with the Tarheels is one of 13 home games slated this season for the Vikings and first-year head coach Mike Garland.
Following a pair of exhibition contests at the Convocation Center on Nov. 8 & 17, the Vikings will open the regular season at home on Nov. 22 against in-state foe Central State of Wilberforce, Ohio. In the contest with new North Carolina head coach Roy Williams and his squad on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Tarheels will become just the second ACC school to ever play in the Convo. (The Vikings defeated Florida State 87-85 in double overtime on Dec. 19, 2000.)
CSU is on the road for most of December, beginning with a trip to State College, Pa. to face Penn State's Nittany Lions on Dec. 3. The Vikings will take on Utah Valley State at the Convo on December 6 as part of CSU Homecoming 2003, before hitting the road for games at Norfolk State (Dec. 13) and at intrastate rival Kent State (Dec. 16). CSU will play its last home game of 2003 when Akron comes to the Convo on Dec. 20. The Vikings close out the month with road games at Boston University on Dec. 22 and at the Islander Classic, hosted by Texas A & M-Corpus Christi on Dec. 29-30. In addition to the host Islanders, Drake and Georgia Southern are also slated for the tournament.
After New Year's 2004, CSU jumps right into the Horizon League schedule with a game at UW-Green Bay on Jan. 3 followed by the Vikings' home-opener in league action against Loyola on Jan. 5. Highlights of the home conference slate include 2003 NCAA Tournament qualifiers UW-Milwaukee (Jan. 22) and Butler (Feb. 12) as well as 2003 NIT qualifier Illinois-Chicago (Feb. 14).
On Feb. 19, CSU will host a game as part of Bracket Buster Saturday. Now in its second year, the Bracket Buster format gives schools from mid-major conferences an opportunity to play on national television (ESPN or espn2). The Vikings' opponent will be determined during the season.
The Horizon League tournament begins on Mar. 2 with first round games at campus sites, and continues with contests on Mar. 5, 6 & 9. The League's championship game on Mar. 9 will be featured in prime time as part of ESPN's "Championship Week."
Cleveland State Men's Basketball season tickets are on sale beginning today by calling (216) 687-4848, via www.csuvikings.com or at the CSU Athletic Ticket Office on the second floor of the CSU Convocation Center (Prospect Ave. & East 21st). Full season ticket plans start at just $104 in the lower bowl, with full packages also available for $130 and $156. In addition, CSU also offers two premium season ticket levels (Big Green and Courtside Coaches) in its Viking Club. Big Green members at $756 ($475 tax deductible) per seat have their choice of tickets at mid-court or courtside and enjoy a pregame buffet in the Viking Loge on the Convo's 5th floor and reserved parking adjacent to the Convo. Courtside Coaches sit on the floor along either baseline or opposite the team benches and are treated to a private halftime reception for $645 per seat ($450 tax deductible).
This season, CSU is offering a "Viking Value Plan" season ticket option that includes six great home games: the home opener on Saturday, Nov. 22 vs. Central State; the showdown with national power North Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 29; backyard rival Akron on Saturday Dec. 20; CSU's closest Horizon League foe Youngstown State on Saturday, Jan. 24; perennial league power Butler on Thursday, February 12 and the Bracket Buster on Saturday, February 21. Prices for the "Viking Value Plan" are just $48, $60 and $72 per seat.
All Cleveland State season ticket holders receive priority points that help determine tickets and seating for all postseason action, including NCAA, NIT and league tournaments. This year, all CSU season ticket holders as of Dec. 30 will be sent an application in February 2004 for tickets to the 2005 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Midwest Region First & Second Rounds to be held Mar. 17 & 19 in the CSU Convocation Center.
In addition to priority points, CSU season ticket holder benefits include: free parking for full season ticket holders, a fan-friendly "Unused Ticket Exchange" program, membership in the Convocation Center Concert Club with pre-sale access to select Convo shows and attractions, a post-game reception with the Viking players after each home game, 20% off all merchandise at the Viking Shop, game previews, exclusive seating sections, special season ticket holders-only events and more.
