TOP NATIONAL TEAMS COMPETE IN MATTHEW SAPOLIN MEMORIAL WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

TOP NATIONAL TEAMS COMPETE IN MATTHEW SAPOLIN MEMORIAL WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

—Tournament to Take Place October 11–12 at Horace Mann School—

New York City (October 7, 2014) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today announced that the 14th annual Matthew Sapolin Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Tournament will take place October 11–12 at Horace Mann School in the Bronx. One of the largest of its kind in the Northeast, the annual tournament is a premier event on the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) schedule. For more information, including the tournament schedule, team rosters, results and photos, visit facebook.com/sapolintournament.

“We are pleased to welcome some of the top wheelchair basketball competitors from across the United States to compete in the 14th annual Matthew Spaolin Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Tournment,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “The tournament

showcases an incredible field of talent in one of the leading wheelchair basketball tournaments in the country.”

Preliminary rounds will take place Saturday, October 11, 9am–7pm, at both the Horace Mann High School Gymasium (4662 Tibbett Ave.) and the Horace Mann Lower School Gymnasium (4440 Tibbett Ave.). The playoffs will begin Sunday, October 12, at 9am, and will culminate with the Championship Division final at noon followed by the Division III final at 1:30pm. Admission is free to all games. 

The Championship Division bracket will feature the NY Rollin’ Knicks, the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks and Air Capital (Washington, DC). The Rollin’ Knicks will be led by Patrick Anderson, who was recently named MVP of the NWBA National Championship Tournament where he helped the Rollin‘ Knicks defeat the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks in the championship game.

The eight Division III teams who are scheduled to compete are the Cleveland Wheelchair Cavs; NRH Ambassadors (Washington, DC); Connecticut Spokebenders (New Britain); Magee Spokesmen (Philadelphia) Brooklyn Nets; Bulova Stetson Nets (Hackensack, NJ); New England Blazers (Malden, MA) and Nassau Kings (Garden City, Long Island).

Wheelchair basketball is played on a regulation basketball court. Players may push their wheelchairs only twice before dribbling or passing. The height of the basketball hoop is the standard 10 feet used in college and professional basketball. Athletes use wheelchairs specially designed for speed and maneuverability.

The Matthew Sapolin Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Tournament is organized by NYC & Company and supported by the Bulova Stetson Fund, NYSID Perferred Source Solutions and the Wheelchair Sports Federation. Formerly known as the NYC Mayor’s Cup Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, the event was renamed in 2012 to honor Commissioner Matthew Sapolin, who led the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities for nearly a decade. Commissioner Sapolin was instrumental in starting the tournament in 2001 and helping transform it into one of the most prestigious tournaments in the country.

About NYC & Company:

NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com. 

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NYC & Company / Caroline Peck 212-484-5475