Tiger Basketball Teams Host Annual Holiday Tournament Dec. 28-29

Springfield, Ohio – The Wittenberg University men’s and women’s basketball teams welcome an outstanding field of eight teams for the 2012 Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Classic. The competition is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 28, and Saturday, Dec. 29, at Wittenberg’s Pam Evans Smith Arena in the HPER Center, with games on both days scheduled for noon, 2:15, 4:30 and 7 p.m. 

Men’s tournament participants for 2012 include Taylor University (Ind.), Hanover College (Ind.) Bethany University (W.Va.) and Wittenberg. Action gets underway Friday at 4:30 p.m. as Hanover and Taylor square off, followed by a clash between the host Tigers and Bethany at 7 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. On Saturday, the consolation game is slated for 2:15 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women’s consolation game, and the championship contest is slated for 7 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women’s championship game. 

Wittenberg has appeared 28 of the 29 title games in the men’s tournament history, winning 25 championships. Their three title game defeats came in 1986 against Centre College, 1997 against the University of Chicago and 2002 against Ohio Dominican University, while the Tigers placed third in 2008. The Tigers have won eight of the last nine championships, including the 2011 title with victories over Monmouth (Ill.) and Marian (Ind.). 

The Tigers enter the 2012 Zimmerman Classic with a 7-2 overall record, including a mark of 1-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). The Tigers’ first-round opponent, Bethany, is off to a 9-1 start to the 2012-13 season. Taylor stands 8-5 and Hanover comes into the tournament with a 5-4 record. 

Women’s tournament participants for 2012 include Albion College (Mich.), the University of Mount Union, Defiance College and Wittenberg. Action gets underway Friday at noon as Mount Union and Albion square off, followed by a game between the host Tigers and Defiance at 2:15 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. On Saturday, action opens with the consolation game at noon and the championship game at 4:30 p.m. or 30 minutes following the completion of the men’s consolation game. 

Wittenberg has won 11 of the 26 title games in the women’s tournament history, including the 2011 championship earned after defeating Rose-Hulman and Wilmington. 

The Tigers check into the 2012 competition with a 3-6 overall record, including a mark of 1-1 in the NCAC. Wittenberg’s first-round opponent, Defiance, is off to a 6-3 start to the 2012-13 season, while Albion is 3-8 and Mount Union is 9-0 and ranked No. 2 in the nation. 

Formerly known as the Kiwanis Wittenberg Holiday Classic, the annual basketball competition was dedicated in 2005 to the late Charles B. Zimmerman, Wittenberg class of 1956, a longtime Tiger fan and a local attorney. Tickets are $10 for all sessions or $6 for adults, $5 seniors/students and $2 for children under age 12. 

No passes of any kind will be accepted. Doors will open one hour prior to the first game each day.

Written By: Ryan Maurer

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