Concordia University Wisconsin is gearing up for the 68th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan Jan. 25-26, and Falcon fans are invited to purchase their tickets now for the event.
CIT is one of the longest-running basketball tournaments in the country and is a highlight of the athletic year among the four participating Concordias—Concordia University Wisconsin, Concordia University Ann Arbor, Concordia University Chicago and Concordia University Nebraska.
Each final weekend in January, field houses are packed to the brim with the chanting of frenzied fans and spirited pep bands. The tradition, which started in 1951 with just men’s basketball, has grown to include women’s basketball (1965) and cheer and dance competitions (2017).
Large crowds are expected for the 2019 Concordia Invitational Tournament and space in the Field House is limited. Spectators are advised to purchase tournament tickets in advance. A tournament pass may be purchased for $15 from now until Jan. 23 at 10 p.m.
If you miss the advanced ticket sale, tournament passes can still be purchased at the ticket booth on Friday for $20. Individual day passes will be sold for $12 at the ticket booth on Friday and Saturday. Ages 5 and under are free.
CUW’s women’s team, coached by Stacey Brunner-Jones, will open the action this year with a game again the Concordia Nebraska Bulldogs. The Falcons are 3-3 overall, including 2-2 in conference play. Coach Shawn Cassidy’s men’s team, 3-0 in conference play and 4-2 overall, will face Nebraska at approximately 3 p.m. Winners of those two games would face the winner of the Concordia Ann Arbor vs. Concordia Chicago match-up.
“We’re excited about CIT because of the great competition,” said Cassidy. “It always brings out the best in everyone when you combine the teams, band, cheer, dance, students, and the rest of the CUW community for a common purpose.”
The 2019 schedule is as follows (all times in Eastern Standard Time):
Friday, January 25, 2019
All Team Breakfast Banquet and Chapel: 8:30 a.m. (North Building Library)
- 1 p.m.—Wisconsin vs. Nebraska (women)
- 3 p.m.—Wisconsin vs. Nebraska (men)
- 6 p.m.—Chicago vs. Ann Arbor (women)
- 8 p.m.—Chicago vs. Ann Arbor (men)
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Cheer and Dance Competition: 10:30 a.m. (Cardinal Field House)
CIT All-Concordia Alumni Reception: 4-5:30 p.m. (Earhart Manor)
- 12:30 p.m.—Women’s Consolation
- 2:30 p.m.—Men’s Consolation
- 5:30 p.m.—Women’s Championship
- 7:30 p.m.—Men’s Championship
CIT Closing Devotions: Immediately following the men’s awards presentation
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