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Sept. 18, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE — The University of Virginia women’s and men’s basketball teams will kick off the season with a special free concert for season ticket holders on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the John Paul Jones Arena.
The “Countdown to Tip-Off” event – scheduled on the eve of the teams’ season-opening doubleheader — will feature “Earth, Wind & Fire,” the popular R&B musical group, along with bass guitarist Wayman Tisdale.
Women’s and men’s season ticket holders will be invited to the free event, as will those who purchase select five- and six-game men’s basketball ticket packages — if these packages are offered based on inventory availability.
In addition, full-time University of Virginia students can register for tickets to “Countdown to Tip-Off” through the online SHOTS system accessible via the men’s basketball page on virginiasports.com.
“We promise the first season of basketball at the John Paul Jones Arena will be an unforgettable experience for our fans,” said Jon Oliver, UVa Executive Associate Director of Athletics. “This event is a great way to say thank you to our fans who have made a commitment to support our basketball programs. ‘Countdown to Tip-Off’ will set the stage for a memorable day in Virginia athletics history on Nov. 12 when our men’s and women’s basketball teams play their first games in the arena.”
“Countdown to Tip-Off” begins at 7 p.m. with a performance by Wayman Tisdale, a former NBA player and three-time All-America basketball great at the University of Oklahoma.
Tisdale played center and power forward for 12 NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns before leaving in 1997 to focus on his music career. Tisdale’s first four CD releases rose to the top 10 on the Billboard contemporary jazz charts. He recently released his fifth CD, titled “Hang Time.”
His performance will be followed by the introduction of this year’s Virginia basketball players. “Earth, Wind & Fire” will complete the evening’s activities.
“Earth, Wind & Fire” is an American funk band, formed in Chicago in 1969. Led by Maurice White, they are best known for their hits of the 1970s, among them “After the Love Has Gone” produced by David Foster, “September,” “Reasons,” “Let’s Groove,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Fantasy” and “Shining Star.”
“Earth, Wind & Fire” became the first black group to receive Madison Square Garden’s Gold Ticket Award for selling more than 100,000 tickets and to receive the Columbia Records Crystal Globe Award for selling more than five million albums in foreign markets. They gained BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award and ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award.
Virginia basketball season tickets are on sale now and can be ordered online at virginiasports.com or by calling the UVa athletics ticket office at 1-800-542-8821 or 434/924-8821. Fans also can order season tickets by stopping at the athletics ticket office in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
A limited number of select five- and six-game ticket packages may go on sale beginning Oct. 12, based on inventory availability after the season ticket sale concludes.
The Virginia women’s and men’s teams open their 2006-07 seasons at the John Paul Jones Arena on Nov. 12. The women play Old Dominion and the men host Arizona. The new arena is designed to provide an exciting atmosphere and an attractive venue for Cavalier fans to experience collegiate basketball competition at its highest level.