March 17, 2008

For Immediate Release:

Date: Monday, March 17, 2008

Contact: Staci Schottman, Director of Public Relations and Communications, 816-595-8116

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The 71st Annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship officially tips off on the eve of tournament play with the 2008 Tip-Off Banquet on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. (CT). Over 900 people, including tournament participants, coaches, parents, fans and sponsors, will attend the event held in the Kansas City Convention Center Ballroom D.

The NAIA will recognize the 60th anniversary of the Clarence Walker story. Walker, who played under legendary coach John Wooden at Indiana State Teachers College, was the first African American player ever permitted to play in a national college basketball tournament in 1947 and Coach Wooden was at the forefront of the movement. The NAIA will recognize Clarence Walker's family with a special video tribute from Coach Wooden. Walker's children and grandchildren will be in attendance and honored at approximately 8 p.m. (CT). 

The NAIA will also recognize 32 student-athletes at the event with the prestigious Champions of Character award. In addition to the individual awards, Dr. Phil and Mary Pattison who are longtime NAIA supporters and honorary coaches, will present five student-athletes with Champions of Character scholarships.

Tournament play gets underway on Wednesday, March 19, at Municipal Auditorium at 9 a.m. (CT) when No. 12 seed Martin Methodist (Tenn.) meets Wayland Baptist (Texas) in the first of 31 games. To learn more about the tournament visit www.naia.org.

Media interested in attending the Tip-Off Banquet or interviewing members of the Clarence Walker family should contact Staci Schottman, NAIA Director of Public Relations and Communications, at 816-595-8116 or 816-210-4739.

Photo and Interview Opportunity
Who: Members of the Clarence Walker family
What: NAIA Tip-Off Banquet and 60th anniversary of the Clarence Walker story
When: Tuesday, March 18, 2008, banquet begins at 6:30 p.m., special recognition will take place at approximately 8 p.m.
Where: Kansas City Convention Center Ballroom D
To arrange an interview please contact Staci Schottman at the NAIA at 816-595-8116 or 816-210-4739. Thank you.

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.

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.