PR2010 Sep 2

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 2, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Craig Threlkeld 205.391.5838

cthrelkeld@sheltonstate.edu

SHELTON STATE, TUSCALOOSA TOURISM AND SPORTS COMMISSION TO REPEAT AS HOST OF

ACCC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS

TUSCALOOSA – Shelton State Community College, in association with the Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports

Commission, will host the 2011 Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Men’s and Women’s

Basketball Tournament, Sunday, February 27, through Saturday, March 5, at the gymnasium on the College’s

Martin Campus at 9500 Old Greensboro Road.

The women’s tournament begins Sunday, Feb. 28 and will conclude on Wednesday, March 3. The winner will

advance to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament, beginning March 15th in Salina, Kansas. Host Shelton

State has won the last five ACCC Tournaments, finishing as high as sixth nationally in 2009.

The men’s play begins on Wednesday, March 3, and will conclude on Saturday, March 6. The winner will

advance to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament, starting March 15th, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Last

season the men’s tournament featured three teams in the NJCAA Division I Top 25 poll, with Wallace State-

Hanceville claiming the ACCC title and advancing to finish fifth in the NJCAA national tournament.

Exact pairings for all games will be released as soon as they become available at the ACCC Tournament page on

the Shelton State Web site, www.sheltonstate.edu <http://www.sheltonstate.edu> , and on the ACCC site,

www.acccsports.org <http://www.acccsports.org> . Fans will also be able to follow the games via a live stats

option on the Shelton State Web site.

“I am so pleased that Shelton State has been afforded another opportunity to service our sister schools in the

state and our community by hosting these events,” said Dr. Mark Heinrich, Shelton State President. “Last season

the collaboration with the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation was invaluable and we and look forward to partnering

with Don Staley and his team to once again showcase our campus, facilities, and community.”

“The success of last year’s tournaments are a testament to what we knew we could accomplish in our

community,” said Don Staley, executive director of the former Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation. “Bringing the

ACCC tournaments to Tuscaloosa began an exciting partnership, and we are thrilled to once again work with a

first class organization like Shelton State. It is a win-win situation, as it brings visitors to our city and exposes

them to what Tuscaloosa has to offer. Plus, it allows Shelton State to highlight its impact in and commitment to

our community.”

Shelton State is no stranger to success in the ACCC Tournament. The Lady Bucs are defending their fifth

consecutive title, while the men are looking for their fifth in seven years. The Lady Bucs finished sixth in the

country in 2009 at the NJCAA National Tournament in Salina, Kansas.

As of October 1, 2010, the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation will merge with the Tuscaloosa Convention and

Visitors Bureau to become the Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission. Established in 2007, the Tuscaloosa

Sports Foundation operates with a mission to provide, organize, and administer youth, amateur, and

professional sports activities, programs, and events to enhance the quality of community life in the Tuscaloosa

County area. In just over three years of operation the TSF has hosted the Alabama High School Athletic

Association's Super Six football championships in Bryant-Denny Stadium, the ACCC Men’s and Women’s

Basketball Tournaments, and many other initiatives such as three-on-three basketball tournaments, collegiate

rugby, Olympic developmental soccer camps, youth baseball, and events with Olympic bronze medalist Deontay

Wilder.

For more information about the Alabama Community College Conference, visit the Web site at

www.acccsports.org <http://www.acccsports.org> . For more information about the current Tuscaloosa Sports

Foundation or the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau, visit their respective sites at

www.tuscaloosasportsfoundation.org <http://www.tuscaloosasportsfoundation.org> and www.tcvb.org

<http://www.tcvb.org> . For more information about Shelton State, visit the Web site at www.sheltonstate.edu

<http://www.sheltonstate.edu> .