March 8, 2001
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University Head Coach Dennis Felton and the Hilltoppers will join fans Sunday afternoon (March 11) to watch the CBS telecast of the announcements of the pairings for the 2001 NCAA National Championship Tournament, which is set to get underway next Thursday (March 15).
Topper fans may take part in the "Pairings Party" in Ballroom A-B at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center on Wilkinson Trace in Bowling Green. The event will get underway at 4 p.m. (CST) and continue through 8 p.m. Admission is free and food, along with a cash bar, will be available.
The Ballroom will be equipped with large-screen televisions so that everyone will be able to follow the CBS "Selection Sunday" telecast with the Hilltoppers.
And, Dave Hunziker, "the Voice of the Hilltoppers," will be on hand with live radio coverage of the event on the Big Red Radio Network from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Western earned the Sun Belt Conference's automatic bid to the 2001 NCAA Tournament with the Hilltoppers' 64-54 triumph over South Alabama in the league championship game Tuesday in Mobile, Ala. This will be WKU's 17th appearance in the NCAA tourney and the Toppers' first trip since 1995.
Topper fans will also have an opportunity to apply for NCAA Tournament tickets during the event at the University Plaza. Representatives of the WKU Ticket Office Staff will be there to accept orders.
Hilltopper Athletic Foundation members will have until 6 p.m. Monday (March 12) to take advantage of their ticket purchase priorities. Following that deadline, tickets will be made available to all others who have submitted applications, on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In addition to the Sunday event, the Ticket Office in E.A. Diddle Arena (1-800-5-BIG-RED or 270-745-5222) will be open extended hours (until 6 p.m.) Monday and Tuesday to assist those interested in following the Toppers to the NCAA Tournament. And, HAF members may also make reservations by contacting the HAF Office (270-745-5321). Applications for tickets will be held upon presentation of a Master Card, VISA or Discover Card.
First and second round sites for the 2001 tournament are:
* East Regional (March 15 and 17) -- Long Island, N.Y. and Greensboro, N.C.
* West Regional (March 15 and 17) -- San Diego, Calif. and Boise, Idaho.
* Midwest Regional (March 16 and 18) -- Dayton, Ohio and Kansas City, Mo.
* South Regional (March 16 and 18) -- Memphis, Tenn. and New Orleans, La.
