TOP NATIONAL TEAMS TO COMPETE IN 13TH ANNUAL MATTHEW SAPOLIN MEMORIAL WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

9/30/13


TOP NATIONAL TEAMS TO COMPETE IN 13TH ANNUAL MATTHEW SAPOLIN MEMORIAL WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT AT MANHATTAN COLLEGE’S DRADDY GYMNASIUM IN THE BRONX, OCTOBER 5–6



New York City (September 30, 2013) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today announced that the 13th annual Matthew Sapolin Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Tournament will take place October 5–6 at Manhattan College’s Draddy Gymnasium (Tibbett Avenue and West 244th Street) in the Bronx. The annual tournament is one of the largest of its kind in the Northeast and has become one of the premier events on the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) schedule.



“We are proud to once again welcome some of the nation’s best athletes to New York City for the Matthew Sapolin Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Tournament,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “Each year, this world-class tournament is among the most competitive and exciting athletic events that we host in the City, and we’re certain that this year’s will be no different.”



“The City of New York is committed to providing greater opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in competitive sports programs,” said Victor Calise, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Commissioner. “The Matthew Sapolin Wheelchair Basketball Tournament provides the perfect venue for our city’s top athletes with disabilities to showcase their skills against some of the best teams from around the country, and I encourage all New Yorkers to come out and support these world-class athletes.”



Preliminary rounds will take place on Saturday, October 5, 10:30am–7pm, and the playoffs will begin on Sunday, October 6, at 8am. The two-day event will culminate with the championship game on Sunday, October 6, at 11am.  Admission is free to all games. 



The six teams scheduled to participate in the main draw of this year’s tournament are the NEPVA Celtics (Brockton, MA); Connecticut Spokebenders (New Britain, Connecticut); Brooklyn Nets; Bulova Stetson Nets (Hackensack, New Jersey); Western NY Wheels (Rochester, New York); and Nassau Kings (Garden City, Long Island). In addition, the NY Rollin’ Knicks (Manhattan), will play two exhibition games on Saturday. 



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 Wheelchair Sports Federation, the Bulova Stetson Fund and Fun Truck’n Mobility. Formerly known as the NYC Mayor’s Cup Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, the event was renamed last year 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.



For more information about the tournament including the complete schedule, team rosters, results and photos, visit facebook.com/sapolintournament.



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/ Emily Mayrath 212-484-1270