Gildan: Multi-Year Title Sponsor of the Charleston Classic
ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN, and Gildan USA Inc., a subsidiary of Gildan Activewear Inc., announced today a three-year entitlement sponsorship of the Charleston Classic with an option to extend in future years. The annual early-season men’s college basketball tournament will be played Thursday, Friday and Sunday, November 20, 21 and 23, 2014, at TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina. Charlotte and Drexel will join the previously announced teams of Akron, Cornell, Miami (Fla.), Penn State, Southern California and South Carolina to complete the eight-team field for the Gildan® Charleston Classic.
“The Charleston Classic has established itself as a premier early-season college basketball event, and we are excited to welcome Gildan as the title sponsor,” said Pete Derzis, ESPN Regional Television, senior vice president and general manager. “We’re proud to continue our relationship with Gildan, which goes back to 2011. We look forward to bringing great basketball to the fans, as well as providing a memorable experience for the teams, coaches, staff and their families.”
Gildan Activewear Inc. is one of the world’s leading suppliers of quality branded basic family apparel, including T-shirts, fleece, sports shirts, socks and underwear. Charleston serves as Gildan’s sales, marketing and distribution headquarters for its Branded Apparel Division.
Gildan® Charleston Classic Team Notes
- This will be the second trip to the Charleston Classic for Miami. They beat fellow 2014 Charleston Classic participant South Carolina to win the 2009 championship.
- Charlotte comes to the 2014 Charleston Classic with a history of strong performances in early-season tournaments having won the Alaska Shootout in 2012 and beating two NCAA Championship teams (Kansas State and Michigan) to win the Puerto Rico Tip-Off last year.
- Penn State returns 78 percent of its scoring and 77 percent of its rebounding from last year. They are led by All-Big Ten Second Team member senior D.J. Newbill.
More About the Gildan Charleston Classic
This will be the seventh year that Charleston has hosted the tournament, and the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) serves as the host conference. It will feature a bracket format with 12 games over three days. Each team will compete in one game per day, advancing through the bracket. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout the tournament will face off in a championship game on the final day of competition.
Miami won the 2009 tournament title. Previous winners include Clemson (2008), Georgetown (2010), Northwestern (2011), Colorado (2012), and UMass (2013).
The Gildan® Charleston Classic is one of eight college basketball events owned and operated by ESPN Events.