MAUI CHAMP UCONN WINS NCAAS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM MAUI TO THE MAINLAND: UCONN FIRST TO WIN EA SPORTS
MAUI INVITATIONAL, BIG EAST TOURNAMENT AND NCAA TOURNAMENT
IN SAME SEASON
2010 Maui Invitational teams – Connecticut and Wichita State – sweep NCAAs and NIT
MAUI, Hawaii, April 4, 2011 – The EA SPORTSTM Maui Invitational® Hosted by Chaminade University proved once again to be a barometer for postseason success as the 2010 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Tournament Champion Connecticut won the 2011 NCAA Tournament on Monday night. The Huskies became the first team to ever win the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, its conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament in the same season. Connecticut is now the fourth team to ever win the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational and the NCAA Tournament in the same season. North Carolina won both in 2008-09 and 2004-05, and Michigan won both in 1988-89.
“We want to congratulate Connecticut on its championship season, including titles at the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, the BIG EAST Tournament and ending with a National Championship in Houston,” Tournament Chairman Dave Odom said. “Connecticut’s victory tonight is a great example of the value of the competition found on a yearly basis at the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational.”
Huskies guard Kemba Walker became the second player to win the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player Award and the Dr. Sue Wesselkamper Award for the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational MVP in the same season. Michigan’s Glen Rice won both awards in 1988-89.
Connecticut was unranked going into the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. After winning the Maui title, the Huskies vaulted to No. 7 and never left the top 25 the rest of the season. Walker was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team and both Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier were named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team. The Huskies went on an incredible run in the BIG EAST Tournament, winning an unprecedented five games in five days while bringing the Maui feel to Manhattan.
“When we started the BIG EAST Tournament, some fans of ours were yelling to us from behind the bench,” Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun said. “They were saying “Maui in Manhattan”. It was a perfect thought for our team to envision. For the (Maui) championship game, they even had leis around their necks. They put one around Kemba’s neck after the game. The start of our season was so fantastic with what we accomplished in Maui, and we bookended it with last week’s accomplishment in New York. Those two memories will last a lifetime for me and our players.”
The Huskies finished the season 14-0 in tournament play this season (EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, 3-0; Big East tournament 5-0; NCAA tournament, 6-0). UCONN also won the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational in 2005.
Overall, EA SPORTS Maui Invitational teams have now won an astounding 62 of 73 NCAA Championships and earned 58 of 73 national runner-up spots. Over the years, 239 of 292 Final Four teams have participated in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational.
Wichita State won the National Invitational Tournament crown last Thursday, helping secure a 2010 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational teams sweep of the top postseason college basketball tournaments.
Ticket and travel packages for 2011 are now on sale. Visit the official Tournament website at mauiinvitational.com or contact Oahu Travel, official travel agent of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, at 800.826.3822 for more information.
About KemperLesnik
KemperLesnik is a sports marketing, events and public relations agency. Ranked by Crain's Chicago Business among Chicago's top PR agencies, KemperLesnik produces integrated communications programs and manages major national events, including the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational college basketball tournament, the McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Games and Jam Fest, as well as manages activation for KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership. For more information, visit www.kemperlesnik.com.
About Our Sponsors
EA SPORTS™ is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world and 2011 marks its eleventh year as title sponsor of the Maui Invitational. With top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences, EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, and EA SPORTS Active.
In addition to title sponsor EA SPORTS, other current tournament sponsors include the Maui Visitors Bureau, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, adidas and GEICO. The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and Westin Maui Resort & Spa, all located in the beautiful Ka’anapali Beach Resort area, serve as host hotels for the thousands of fans and boosters who annually accompany their teams to Maui. KemperLesnik has operated the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1990.
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Alex Prosperi – Media Relations Manager
EA SPORTS Maui Invitational
847.480.4886 office
alex.prosperi@kemperlesnik.com
Palmer Moody – Media Relations Director
EA SPORTS Maui Invitational
847.850.2478 office
