New Name For All-Star Game

Plans Underway For 2006 Event!!!

Just two weeks after the 2nd Annual Black College All-Star Game at Gund Arena, organizers for the event have released plans for the 2006 All-Star Game.  To continue making the basketball game more inclusive, organizers will once again invite players from colleges across Ohio and will change the name of the event to The College Basketball All-Star Game.

“My primary objective is to make next year’s event one of the most culturally inclusive sports and entertainment events in the country” said John C. Pace, Jr., President and CEO of World-Class Events Management.  “I believe that it is important to have a name that is inclusive and welcoming for everyone.”  This year, event organizers made the game more inclusive by expanding the competition to include basketball players from both Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) and from colleges across Ohio.  In its first year, the event included players from HBCU’s only.  The name change is another step toward making the event inclusive.

The 2005 event, held April 17th at Gund Arena, benefited from the increased level of competition that resulted from pitting the top basketball players in the country from historically black colleges and universities, such as Hampton and Tennessee State, against top players from colleges across the State of Ohio, such as The Ohio State University and Cleveland State University.  Energized fans cheered for both teams during an exciting college game that resulted in the HBCU team winning the game by a score of 116 to 111.

“The Black College All-Star Game, in only its second year, is considered one of the best and most diverse of its kind nationally,” said Len Komoroski , President -  Cavaliers Operating Company.  We enjoy working with John Pace and his team at World Class Events Management.  They work hard to put together an event that we can all be very proud of and one that we are pleased to partner on and present to the region."

Pace said he is talking with television networks about televising next year’s event and that College Sports Television, ESPN and Turner Network Television would be among his first choices to carry the game.  Pace says another goal is to bring in bigger name celebrities in 2006 that have broad-based appeal.  He says his group is talking with P. Diddy and several other high-profile entertainers about chairing the event.  Actor Vivica A. Fox hosted the 2005 event.

“Imagine downtown Cleveland hosting meetings and festivities over one weekend for 12 to 15 alumni groups that come to support the all-stars from their respective alma maters,” Pace reflects.  “Imagine the Warehouse District and the Flats in downtown Cleveland hosting parties and concerts for the college students from the Ohio universities that have basketball players competing in the All-Star Game. This is exactly what we’re planning for 2006—people of all ages, people of all cultures coming together to experience a fun weekend of entertainment and exciting basketball.”

Event organizers plan to return once again to Gund Arena to hold the 2006 game.  They have developed a comprehensive plan to attract visitors from around the region and will work with the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau of Greater Cleveland, downtown restaurants and night clubs to program entertainment for Ohio college and HBCU alumni and college basketball fans throughout the weekend.