Friday, December 23, 2011

MACON, Ga. - The NCAA Women's Basketball "Pack the House" initiative is underway, and once again Lipscomb and the other nine Atlantic Sun Conference teams are participating to promote their programs with a chance of becoming the 2012 champion.

Lipscomb is set to host the annual promotion on Feb. 16 as ETSU comes to Allen Arena for a 6:30 p.m. contest against the Bucs.

"We are very proud of all of the institutions in the Atlantic Sun Conference for their hard work in promoting our women's basketball programs," said Sherri Booker, A-Sun Senior Associate Commissioner. "Through their efforts, the A-Sun is the only NCAA Division I conference in the country to have 100% participation in the NCAA Pack the House Challenge the past two years. Last year those marketing efforts resulted in an overall attendance increase of more than 15 percent at our women's basketball contests. We will continue to increase our marketing efforts and our fan bases as we work to grow the sport of women's basketball in the A-Sun."

A-Sun “Pack the House” matchups in 2011-12 include three non-conference and seven league contests.

"Pack the House" is national effort in which conferences and institutions compete to build attendance. NCAA Division I women's basketball marketing staffs select a home game and designate that date as a "Pack the House" game with the goal of setting an attendance record. One winner from each of the 32 conferences and one from a group of independent institutions is selected at the conclusion of the challenge. Selections are based on marketing plan creativity and attendance criteria. Last season more than half of the Division I membership - 178 institutions - participated in the effort that attracted more than 554,000 fans.

The NCAA will make a $500 donation to a non-profit organization on behalf of the A-Sun winner of the “Pack the House” challenge.

2011-12 A-Sun Pack the House Schedule

Nov. 17 * Savannah State at North Florida

Dec. 30 * Notre Dame at Mercer

Jan. 24 * LSU at ETSU

Jan. 26 * North Florida at Belmont

Jan. 28 * ETSU at USC Upstate

Feb. 2 * Stetson at Jacksonville

Feb. 9 * Belmont at Stetson

Feb. 11 * Mercer at Kennesaw State

Feb. 16 * ETSU at Lipscomb

Feb. 18 * Stetson at Florida Gulf Coast