UCSC to Play Ball at Kaiser Permanente Arena

Big news announced today by the Warriors and UCSC:

The Santa Cruz Warriors and University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) have finalized an agreement to bring UCSC men’s and women’s basketball to Kaiser Permanente Arena for the 2013-14 regular season.

Opening Weekend tips off on Friday, November 15, with the Hampton Inn Classic I women’s basketball tournament, featuring University of Puget Sound against Whittier at 5:00 p.m., followed by UCSC against St. Catherine University at 7:00 p.m. UCSC men’s basketball will take the court for the first time at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, against California Lutheran University as part of Hotel Paradox Opening Weekend Kickoff.

Sunday, November 17, features a triple-header of basketball, beginning with UCSC women’s against University of Puget Sound at 1:00 p.m., followed by UCSC men’s against Pacific Union at 3:30 p.m., and the final Santa Cruz Warriors preseason game against the Bakersfield Jam at 7:30 p.m.

“There’s no question that playing in a state-of-the-art basketball facility creates the opportunity for exponentially increasing the profile of our local collegiate basketball programs within Santa Cruz County,” said Santa Cruz Warriors President Jim Weyermann. “It is our hope that hosting these games on the Santa Cruz Warriors’ home court will help build a much broader family of supporters for UCSC athletics.”

“This collaboration is a win-win,” said George Blumenthal, chancellor of UCSC. “Our student-athletes are excited about the prospect of playing their home games in the new Warriors venue, and the community will benefit because this will make UCSC games more accessible to the many basketball fans in the Santa Cruz area.”

Tickets for all UCSC basketball games are now available at www.santacruzbasketball.com. Each game day will provide fans with affordable, family-friendly entertainment, including a Kid’s Zone activity area. Students will receive special $5 pricing for admission to the student section, and easy access to Downtown Santa Cruz and Kaiser Permanente Arena via Santa Cruz METRO.

In total, twenty-two NCAA Division III basketball games will be played at Kaiser Permanente Arena during the 2013-14 season, including 16 featuring UCSC men’s or women’s basketball. The schedule will feature four triple-headers at Kaiser Permanente Arena, which includes Santa Cruz Warriors games during the preseason on November 17, Opening Night on November 22, and December 17. The Hampton Inn Classic II women’s basketball tournament, including two UCSC games on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23, will not be played at Kaiser Permanente Arena.