The Southern Conference returns to Asheville and the ExploreAsheville.com Arena at the U.S. Cellular Center for the 2016 Southern Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships presented by General Shale. The tournaments are scheduled for March 3–7 at the 6,300-seat venue. The oldest league tournament in the nation, the first SoCon men’s tournament was held in 1921, and 2016 marks the 96th year of the postseason classic.
Several special events surround this year’s tournaments. March 3–4 will serve as education days, as an estimated 3,000 local elementary school students will attend the morning sessions.
SoCon mascots and spirit group members will visit Mission Children’s Hospital on March 4, and the morning of March 5 will see hundreds of children pack Pack Square for the Downtown Dribble and KidsFest. Hosted by the Southern Conference, Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission and the YMCA of Western North Carolina, KidsFest will feature games, activities, bands, cheerleaders, and mascots, as well as healthy lifestyle exhibits and interactives for children. The fourth annual Downtown Dribble—a dribble parade from Pack Square to the U.S. Cellular Center—will follow.
SoCon Overtime will be in full swing each night of the tournament, as participating local bars, restaurants, and breweries will offer musical entertainment and drink and food specials throughout the week.
The Southern Conference, Asheville-Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, and the Southern Conference Asheville Local Organizing Committee will host a pregame indoor tailgate party prior to the men’s title game on Monday, March 7. The event, named Basketball, BBQ & Beer, will run from 5:30–7:45 p.m. and will take place in the concourse area of the U.S. Cellular Center. The event will give patrons an opportunity to sample fare from various Asheville-area barbecue restaurants and breweries.
Tickets for the tournament are available by contacting any member institution ticket office. For more information, visit soconsports.com.
