Kohl's, Nike to Sponsor C-USA Women's Basketball Tournament

MILWAUKEE - Marquette University and Conference USA have reached an agreement with Kohl's Department Stores of Menomenee Falls, Wis., and Nike of Beaverton, Ore., to serve as presenting sponsors of the 2001 Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament presented by Kohl's and Nike, to be held March 2-5 at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee.

As part of the multi-faceted agreement, Kohl's Department Stores in Southeast Wisconsin will offer its customers a free ticket voucher for Monday night's championship game as well as offer children from ages 6-12 the chance to become an honorary ball crew member. In addition, Kohl's and Nike will also receive five scholarships to the Terri Mitchell Summer Basketball Camp to be given out to Milwaukee area children. Both Kohl's and Nike also will be donating a block of tickets to Children's Hospital for the duration of the tournament.

Also as presenting sponsors, Kohl's and Nike's marks become part of the tournament name. On first reference, the event should be addressed as the "2001 Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament presented by Kohl's and Nike."

The Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament involves all 12 institutions in Conference USA competing for the tournament championship and automatic entry into the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship Tournament. Play begins on Friday, March 2 with four first-round games and continues Saturday, March 3 with the quarterfinals, Sunday, March 4 with the semifinals, and concludes Monday, March 5 with the tournament's championship game. Sunday's semifinals will be broadcast on a syndicated basis through the C-USA Network. Monday's title tilt will air on ESPN2 on a tape-delayed basis.

Tickets for the tournament are still available and can be purchased by calling the Marquette ticket office at 414-288-4668.