University of North Carolina Athletics
Fan Activities In Detroit
March 31, 2009 | Men's Basketball
March 31, 2009
DETROIT -- The NCAA and the Detroit Local Organizing Committee (DLOC) want all fans, even those without tickets to the championship games, to experience the excitement of the 2009 NCAA Men's Final Four. The organizations announced today details for Final Four Friday, which includes the Final Four team's practices and the Hershey's College All-Star Game all on the actual Final Four floor. Friday's team practices are scheduled to begin at Noon April 3 at Ford Field in Detroit followed by the Hershey's College All-Star Game that will be broadcast to a national audience on the CBS College Sports Network.
"We want every Metro Detroiter and visitor to have the chance to experience the 2009 NCAA® Final Four® weekend, even if they don't have a ticket to the game," said Greg Shaheen, NCAA senior vice president for basketball and business strategies. "Final Four Friday gives everyone the chance to enjoy some of the country's best NCAA basketball players for free while enjoying the pageantry of the venue where the national championship will be decided."
Admission is free to the public. There will also be free parking available in lots close to Ford Field on a first come, first serve basis. Parking Lots 1, 2, and 3 near the northwest corner of Comerica Park and Lot 4 just north of Ford Field will be free and open to the public.. For a map of those lots visit: www.NCAA.com/finalfour.
All fans in attendance will have numerous chances throughout the day to win tickets to the semifinals on Saturday, April 4 or the national championship game on Monday, April 6.
FINAL FOUR FRIDAY PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Final Four Friday team practices are scheduled from 12-4 p.m. (Gates open at 11 a.m.). Fans can watch the 2009 NCAA Final Four teams in their final practice before the national semifinal games. Practice times are based on team seeding:
Michigan State University Practice: Noon - 12:50 p.m. ET
Villanova University Practice: 1 - 1:50 p.m. ET
University of Connecticut Practice: 2:10 - 3 p.m. ET
University of North Carolina Practice: 3:10 - 4 p.m. ET
HERSHEY®'S COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAME
Following the last practice, pre-game festivities for the Hershey®'s College All-Star Game begin at 4 p.m. with tip off scheduled for 4:35 p.m. The game features two teams comprised of NCAA basketball's top seniors from across the country. For the second consecutive year, it will be played in the Final Four venue.
FINAL FOUR LEGACY PROGRAM TO BENEFIT UNITED WAY FOR SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN'S EARLY LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used pre- or early reader book to Final Four Friday as part of the Men's Final Four's first-ever Legacy Program. All donations will benefit the United Way for Southeastern Michigan's Early Learning Communities, which enhances school readiness for pre-school age children by providing training and resources for children and their caregivers. Stations to collect books will be available at Ford Field at Gates A, B and G.
Fans that make their way downtown for Final Four Friday also can experience a number of other events, -such as:
Details on these events can be found at NCAA.com/finalfour.
