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Guardians of the Game

NABC Recognizes Houston's Guy Lewis

Princeton, NJ (November 12, 2002) - The Guardians Classic, an exempt, eight team men’s college basketball tournament, will promote the “Guardians of the Game,” a national awareness and education program created by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The goal of the program is to focus attention on the positive aspects of basketball and the role coaches play in the lives of student-athletes, in addition to the contributions coaches make to their communities.

The Guardians of the Game program emphasizes four core values:
• Advocacy – NABC coaches are advocates for the game of basketball, student-athletes, and coaches, providing leadership and guidance on issues affecting the basketball community.
• Leadership – NABC coaches provide moral and ethical leadership on issues affecting the game of basketball and society.
• Service – NABC coaches serve as community leaders who help enhance their communities through civic involvement.
• Education – NABC coaches are committed to continuing education and the development of their profession in order to be better mentors, teachers, and leaders.

Each year at the Guardians Classic, the NABC recognizes coaching legends for their lifetime achievement and dedication to the coaching profession. This year’s Guardians of the Game Recognition Award recipient is Guy Lewis of the University of Houston. Coach Lewis witnessed 662 of Houston’s first 727 victories as a player, assistant coach and head coach. As a head coach, Lewis’ teams averaged 19 wins per season. When Coach Lewis retired from coaching in 1986, he finished his career with 27 seasons without a losing record. He coached 15 All-Americas and produced 11 first round and 29 overall NBA Draft selections including Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon and Elvin Hayes. Coach Lewis will be recognized during half-time of the Championship Game of the Guardians Classic.

“The Guardians Classic is an ideal forum to reach coaches and players to share with them the importance of the Guardians of the Game’s core values,” said Reggie Minton, Associate Executive Director of the NABC. “We are honored to recognize Guy Lewis for his contributions to college basketball and the coaching profession. Coach Lewis has been an inspiration and role model for many.”

Notre Dame and Creighton will host the opening, regional rounds of the Guardians Classic on November 17th & 18th, 2002. The Championship rounds of the Event will be held on November 25th & 26st at historic Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO.

Ticket Information:
Kansas City Championship Rounds - Ticketmaster (816) 931-3330 or online at www.ticketmaster.com

Notre Dame Regional Rounds - Notre Dame Ticket Office: (574) 631-7356

Creighton Regional Rounds - Ticketmaster: (402) 422-1212 or online at www.ticketmaster.com

Media Reminders:

Opening Round Teleconference - Thursday, November 14th, 12:00 p.m. EST: Media dial-in number: (877)329-7569 Reference: Guardians Conference Call Format: All eight coaches will participate in a national teleconference to preview the event and the upcoming season.

Championship Round Teleconference - Thursday, November 21st, 12:00 p.m. EST: Media dial-in number: (877)329-7569 Reference: Guardians Conference Call Format: Coaches from the four teams will participate in a national teleconference to preview the championship rounds of the event.

Credential Requests:
To request a media credential for the opening rounds of the Guardians Classic please contact the following individuals:

NOTRE DAME:
Bernie Cafarelli, SID
Sports Information Office
112 Joyce Center
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: (574)631-8458/Fax: (574)631-7941
Email: Bernadette.M.Cafarelli.1@nd.edu

CREIGHTON:
Robert Anderson, SID
Creighton University
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
Phone: (402)280-5544/Fax: (402)280-2495
Email: robert.anderson@creighton.edu

To request a media credential for the CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS of the event on November 25th & 26th in Kansas City, Mo., please complete the official credential request form, which can be downloaded here as a PDF document.

Fax completed form to the Gazelle Group, Attention: Phil Wendler: (609)921-2332. CREDENTIAL REQUEST DEADLINE: Thursday, November 21, 2002.

Official Hotels:
Championship Rounds: Kansas City Marriott Downtown - Guardians Classic Fan and Media Rate: $75 per night. Code: GCFGCFA. Reserve rooms online at www.marriott.com Code: GCFGCFA or call (816)421-6800 (all rates subject to availability).

Notre Dame Regional Rounds: Holiday Inn South Bend-City Center - Guardians Classic Fan and Media Rate: $69.95 per night. For reservations call (574)232-3941, be sure to reference the Guardians Classic (all rates subject to availability)

Creighton Regional Rounds: Doubletree Hotel Omaha-Downtown: For reservations call 402-346-7600.

For more information about the Guardians Classic visit www.GuardiansClassic.com or contact Phil Wendler at (609)921-1300 or pwendler@gazellegroup.com.