May 22, 2002

MILWAUKEE - The Horizon League has officially named the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as the host institution for the 2003 Horizon League Men's Basketball Championship.

The Horizon League Executive Council formally approved the plan submitted by the UWM Athletics Department administration during the league's spring meetings Wednesday morning in Cleveland.

The event will take place March 7-11, 2003. All nine league teams participate in the tournament. The eighth and ninth seeds will play the first game of the tournament Friday, March 7. Four quarterfinals will take place Saturday, March 8 with semifinals set for Sunday, March 9. The championship game will be played Tuesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPN. The winner of the tournament gains an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

Negotiations to hold the event at the U.S. Cellular Arena in downtown Milwaukee are ongoing and a final agreement is expected to be announced shortly.

The tournament will mark the first time UWM has ever hosted a Division I men's basketball league championship.

"It goes without saying that we are extremely excited to be hosting this tournament," UWM Director of Athletics Bud Haidet said. "It is a great opportunity for the commuity to rally around the University and our athletic department. I'm confident our staff and all of the people involved with the tournament will work hard to make it the best championship in league history."

The Panther men have never made it to the league tournament championship game but return every starter for second-year head coach Bruce Pearl. Pearl, the Horizon League Coach of the Year, led UWM to 16 wins and a second place finish in the league last year.

"This is certainly a milestone occassion for our men's basketball program," Pearl said. "It is special to be given an opportunity to host this event and have it be a memorable experience for the student-athletes in our league. I know the players and coaching staff are excited about having the tournament in Milwaukee and the chance to earn an NCAA Tournament berth in front of our fans. I hope March Madness in Milwaukee is something that will excite the basketball fans in town and bring more interest to our program."

All-session tickets, which cost just $70 and include eight games, are on sale now by calling the UWM Ticket Office at 414-229-5886. Student rates are also available. Single-session passes will go on sale later this year.

The tournament also includes public practice sessions and a luncheon Friday, March 7 at noon. Details of those events will be finalized later this year.