March 11, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) will host the 71st Annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., March 19-25, 2008. College basketball's toughest tournament will showcase 32 teams, 31 games and one national champion over a six day event.

The tournament bracket will be released on Wednesday, March 12, at 5 p.m. (CT). The championship is a single-elimination tournament featuring 16 automatic qualifiers from eleven Division I affiliated conferences, one independent and 15 at-large berths.

The NAIA and official tournament sponsor Buffalo Funds offer an affordable and fun experience for the entire family. In six days the NAIA will incorporate Fan Fest, Youth Sports Night, DST Systems Youth Day, Rotary Night, Chamber Night, Faith and Family Night, U.S. Bank Championship Night and much more. This much anticipated and historic event gets underway with a Championship Tip-Off Banquet, which will draw a crowd of over 900 people, on Tuesday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Kansas City Convention Center Ballroom. On Tuesday evening the NAIA will recognize the Clarence Walker family who will be in attendance in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Clarence Walker story.

CBS College Sports Network (CSTV) and Metro Sports will broadcast the semifinal rounds live on Monday, March 25, with game times at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. (CT). The championship game will be broadcast nationwide on CSTV with tip-off scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (CT).

Single session game tickets starting at $5 (youth) and $12 (adults), group tickets, family four packs and the All-Tournament ticket may be purchased through the Municipal Auditorium Box Office or through Ticketmaster at 816-931-3330 or www.ticketmaster.com. For all special event, tournament news and team information visit www.naiahoops.com.

2008 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship - All Times Central
Wednesday March 19, 2008 - First Round Games
Session 1: 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m.
Session 2: 4:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m., Parade of Champions, 8:45 p.m., 10:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 20, 2008 - First Round Games  
Session 3: 9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m.
Session 4: 4:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 9:45 p.m.

Friday, March 21, 2008 - Second Round Games
Session 5: 9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m.
Session 6: 4:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 9:45 p.m.

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - Quarterfinals
Session 7: 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m,

Sunday, March 23, 2008 - No games

Monday, March 24, 2008 - Semifinal Games LIVE on CBS College Sports Television (CSTV) and Metro Sports
Session 8: 6:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - Championship LIVE on CBS College Sports Television (CSTV) and Metro Sports
Session 9: 8:30 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Honorary Coach Drawing - Thursday, March 13, 6:00 p.m.
This annual event allows 32 honorary coaches, made up of local Kansas Citians, to gather and draw tournament teams. The event will take place at Screenland Theatre located at 1656 Washington in Kansas City, Mo.

Tip-Off Banquet - Tuesday, March 18, 2008, 6:30 p.m. Kansas City Convention Center Ballroom
Tournament participants, coaches, sponsors, fans, staff and honorary coaches gather formally for a tournament tip-off celebration. The NAIA will recognize the Clarence Walker family in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Clarence Walker story. 

NAIA Fan Fest - Wednesday, March 19 to Saturday, March 22
Fan Fest, located in the lower level of Municipal Auditorium, features interactive sports games for all ages.

Faith & Family Night - Friday, March 16, 6:00 p.m.
Join area churches, youth groups and Christian basketball leagues at the tourney. Tickets to the Friday night session guarantees admittance into the Faith and Family Night special event featuring guests from Bott Radio Network and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Municipal Auditorium/Convention Center/6th floor).

Youth Sports Day - Saturday, March 22
Any child wearing their youth team jersey from any sport gets in FREE.

DST Systems Youth Day - Saturday, March 22, Noon to 1:15 p.m.
DST Systems Youth Day includes a Champions of Character presentation and a Spin-tacular basketball show that all ages will enjoy! The youth day event is FREE. All youth day participants will receive admission, compliments of DST Systems, to the quarterfinal games beginning at 2 p.m.

Chamber Night - Monday, March 24, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Twenty chambers from the Kansas City area will participate in the Chamber Taste of the NAIA Business After Hours event hosted by the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. Admission is $15 and includes a ticket to the semifinal games, food, networking and NAIA basketball.

U.S. Bank Championship Night - Tuesday, March 25, 8:30 p.m.
Watch the top two tournament teams compete and stay for the championship trophy presentation.



About the 2008 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship
The 71st Annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship showcases small schools and a big show. Come be a part of college basketball's toughest tournament featuring a field of 32 teams, 31 games and non-stop action. Over 600 student-athletes and coaches travel to Kansas City for a six day event and pure college basketball. The tournament is possible with the generous support of sponsors including Buffalo Funds, DST, U.S. Bank, Blue Springs Ford and Community America Credit Union. For more information visit www.naiahoops.com.

About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association's innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves.