CBS Sports Classic to donate playing court to YMCA of Greater New Orleans

Gift to be centerpiece of Belle Chasse YMCA’s expansion project

NEW ORLEANS – Following the conclusion of the doubleheader tomorrow afternoon, the CBS Sports Classic will donate its basketball playing court to the YMCA of Greater New Orleans to become the centerpiece of Belle Chasse’s YMCA expansion project. Through the event’s partnership with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the new court will be a legacy gift for New Orleans to enjoy for years to come.

Global transportation provider R+L Carriers has donated their expertise to transport the court to storage until the completion of the Belle Chasse YMCA Gymnasium in 2019, where the CBS Sports Classic court will serve the entire community as the focal point of the newly expanded facility. School organizations, government and law enforcement entities, community and religious groups and, of course, YMCA members will use the court for games, meetings, after-school events and other initiatives.

The Belle Chasse YMCA is an important component of the Plaquemines Parish community. The YMCA developed meaningful partnerships with a variety of local partners, including local government, school board and Sheriff’s Office, Phillips 66 and United Way, among others. The Belle Chasse YMCA has nearly 4,000 members, and upon completion of the gymnasium expansion, will be a 30,000 square foot facility that boasts a comprehensive wellness center, aquatics center, exercise studio, youth program space and more.

“This wonderful donation by the CBS Sports Classic comes at just the perfect time in our expansion process, and we could not be more appreciative to receive this gift,” said Gordon Wadge, President of the YMCA of Greater New Orleans. “This court donation gives us the flexibility to allocate other resources to equally important services as part of the renovation that will serve thousands in our community. It is an integral piece to the construction of the Belle Chasse YMCA, and we are incredibly appreciative and happy to showcase the CBS Sports Classic court as the focal point of our new gymnasium.”

The 2017 CBS Sports Classic will take place on Saturday, Dec. 23 at Smoothie King Center and will be broadcast on CBS. Ohio State takes on No. #7 North Carolina (12:30 PM, CT), while No. #5 Kentucky faces UCLA directly after. The four programs have collectively won 26 NCAA titles, including North Carolina’s championship last year. The quartet boasts 178 NCAA Tournament appearances and are among college basketball’s all-time winningest programs, combining for more than 7,900 victories.

Brad Nessler and Bill Raftery will call the games with Allie LaForce reporting from the sidelines.  

Three of the four programs have enjoyed success in the Crescent City – both Kentucky and Ohio State advanced to the 2012 Final Four, with the Wildcats winning the national championship that year. North Carolina has also won two national titles in New Orleans (1982, 1993). New Orleans has also been kind to the Buckeyes’ football team; Ohio State knocked off No. 1 Alabama in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff en route to the 2015 national championship. Additionally, UCLA coach Steve Alford helped guide Indiana to the 1987 national championship in the final game of his playing career.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com or www.cbssportsclassic.com.