UNCA to Host NCAA Selection Party;
Campus Pumped about First Trip to the Big Dance

The public is invited to join the UNC Asheville community on Sunday evening to watch the televised announcement of the NCAA Basketball Tournament pairings. The UNCA Bulldogs earned their first trip to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Big South Conference championship March 8 when they defeated Radford 85-71. 

The campus is putting together a Bulldogs' NCAA Selection Party, slated to start at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 16, in Laurel Forum, located on the main floor of Karpen Hall. Taking center court will be the men's team, Eddie Biedenbach and his coaching staff, and the Athletics Department staff. The Bulldogs will practice from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Justice Center. The practice is open to the public.

"The Bulldogs are Asheville's team and we want to share our excitement with the entire community," said UNCA Athletics Director Joni Comstock. "We've received hundreds of calls and e-mails congratulating the team and wishing us well."

The women's selection show airs at 5 p.m., followed by the men's selection show at 6 p.m. The campus pep band will provide music and area restaurants are donating food.

The event is free to the public. For more information, call Amy McDonald at 828/251-6459.

Media Contacts:

• Mike Gore, UNCA Sports Information Director, 828/251-6923
• Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information Director, 828/251-6676, 828/257-5501 (pager)