PITTSBURGH—Pitt students will have the opportunity to showcase their basketball skills when the Oakland Zoo and Pitt Basketball program host their first-ever 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament on Sunday, Sept. 30. Tipoff is set for noon at the Petersen Events Center. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the local Big Brothers Big Sisters Club of Greater Pittsburgh. Pitt Head Coach Jamie Dixon and members of the Pitt men’s basketball team will be present throughout the day.
“We were searching for an opportunity to promote wellness and healthy lifestyle among our students at Pitt,” Dixon said. “This is also a great opportunity for us to raise money for charity, thank our student body and team with the Oakland Zoo on this fantastic event. Over the years, the Oakland Zoo has been one of the nation’s top college basketball student cheering sections. Their support for us is unmatched and that’s evident in this event.”
“When the idea for the 3-on-3 tournament was developed, we could not have been more excited,” Oakland Zoo leader Joe Lassi said. “It’s the perfect way to raise awareness for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and play the game of basketball that we all love. We are happy to be working with Coach Dixon and the team and love the fact that they are assisting us on this event.”
The 3-on-3 tournament will consist of 32, four player teams (three players, one sub to use interchangeably) in a double elimination bracket format. Teams will play throughout the day in the Petersen Events Center main floor and auxiliary gym. The two teams advancing to the championship game will have the opportunity to play the title game during halftime of a men’s basketball contest. That date has not been determined.
Prizes for the winning team will include a tournament trophy, four free 2012-13 Oakland Zoo tee-shirts, autographed Jamie Dixon basketballs, a chance to enter a Pitt men’s basketball game of their choice before other students and a behind the scenes Pitt basketball experience. The runner-up team will receive four free 2012-13 Oakland Zoo tee-shirts and have a chance to enter the Oakland Zoo prior to other students at a Pitt men’s basketball game of their choice.
Doors open to the public (students and non students) at 11 a.m. on Sunday. General admission for the event is $1 per ticket. All collected admission fees will be donated to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. The Oakland Zoo will also be there to collect any other donations to the charity.
All 32 team spots have been filled. Registration on the day of the tournament will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. for all participating teams.
