More than 2,000 visitors are expected to converge on Marianna for the Florida Junior College Men’s and Women’s State Basketball Tournament set for March 4-7 at Chipola College. Advance tickets are now on sale for the four-day event.
Some 400 basketball players from 16 teams, along with coaches, cheerleaders and fans will fill nearly 200 hotel rooms during the tourney. Numerous Division I College coaches and recruiters also are expected to scout the talent in the competition. Tournament officials estimate that more than $250,000 will flow into the area during the tournament from food, lodging, recreation and incidental expenses.
Tournament administrator Ronnie Myers, a former Chipola player, said, "The tournament is a huge undertaking which requires many volunteers and tremendous financial support. We could not host this event without the generous support of our fans, sponsors and advertisers."
The Jackson County Tourist Development Council awarded a $10,000 grant to the Chipola Appreciation Club to help promote and operate the tournament.
Waste Management is official host sponsor for the event. Other sponsors include: the Florida Lottery, Florida Credit Union League, Community South Credit Union, Envision Credit Union, Jackson County Teachers Credit Union, Tyndall Federal Credit Union and United Solutions.
Robert Trammell, ticket sales chairman, said, "Chipola has one of the finest junior college athletic programs in the country and our people put on one of the best tournaments anywhere. The great traditions established here by coaching legend Milton Johnson are evident today in the quality of this tournament."
Key supporters of Chipola athletics are selling advance tickets. Tournament passes—$25 for adults and $15 for students—will get fans into all 14 exciting tournament games. Single session tickets—two games—are $10 each.
The women’s tournament begins Wednesday, March 4, with the men’s tournament set to tip off Thursday, March 5. Game times are 1, 3, 6 and 8, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The women’s championship is Saturday at 5 p.m., with the men’s championship at 7:30 p.m.
For ticket information, call 718-2220, or visit the official tourney web site at: www.chipola.edu
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