Sept. 12, 2000
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University has announced the selection of one men's and one women's basketball game as the centerpieces of the 2000 Bowling Green Bank Classic. The Lady Toppers will battle in-state rival Louisville at 7 p.m. (CST) Nov. 30 at E.A. Diddle Arena in the 18th annual women's event. The first Hilltopper Bowling Green Bank Classic is slated for 7 p.m. (CST) Nov. 28 when Western welcomes Southeastern Conference foe Vanderbilt to Diddle Arena.
The Bowling Green Bank Classic has been a showcase event for the Lady Toppers over the last 17 years. It originally began as a four-team tournament, called the Bowling Green Bank Invitational, in 1983. The tournament setup continued until the 1992-93 season, when it took on its current single-game format. Western has posted a stellar 23-3 (88.5%) record in the Classic, including a 96-80 win over Indiana in last year's contest.
In the 17-year history of the women's Bowling Green Bank Classic, a total of $160,000 in donations has been raised in support of Lady Topper basketball and Western athletics. Proceeds from this year's Bowling Green Bank Classic games will be used to support both basketball programs and their respective program enhancement funds. Season ticket holders for the Lady Toppers and Hilltoppers will automatically receive tickets to the Classic as part of their season ticket purchase.
In addition, sponsorship packages for both games are available. Interested parties should contact Michelle Coombs, marketing coordinator for Bowling Green Bank, at (270) 782-4496.
The Lady Toppers return six letterwinners, including All-America forward ShaRae Mansfield, from last year's squad which went 22-10 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Hilltoppers have nine letterwinners back in the fold this season, led by 2000 Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year, Chris Marcus.
