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The Virginia Cavaliers basketball team will celebrate their 2019 NCAA Tournament championship with a special pre-season celebration at John Paul Jones Arena on Friday, September 13th.
From the athletic department press release:
The evening begins with the VIP Reception with members of the men’s basketball staff from 5-6 p.m. A buffet dinner for floor guest starts at 6:15 p.m. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. with comments from Dean and Markel Families Men’s Head Basketball Coach Tony Bennett and several members of the 2019 NCAA Championship team. Video tributes will be shown on Hoo Vision and championship rings will be presented before the championship banner will be raised to conclude the evening.
Tickets start at $25, which will grant general admission access to the upper bowl. Lower-bowl general admission is $50. There are group tables available that come with some pretty sweet perks, including dinner, sitting with team members and coaches, and access to the VIP receptions.
In addition to the ceremonial events, commemorative items will be available via silent auction:
The silent auction will include exclusive 2019 NCAA Final Four memorabilia, unique game-watching experiences for the 2019-2020 season, decorative Final Four banners and other items from Minneapolis, player and coach signed photographs and other items. Fans who are not able to attend the event may still bid on silent auction items online at VirginiaAthleticsFoundation.com beginning Friday, Sept. 6.
You knew Bennett wouldn’t let celebrating the 2018-19 season interfere with the 2019-20 season, so this seems like a good way to get the banner up and the rings handed out without distracting players from a real live game.
While Friday the 13th may not seem like the ideal day for a party, it does set the table for a big weekend of UVA sports in Charlottesville, with Florida State coming to Scott Stadium for a primetime Saturday night showdown with the football team.
Tickets for the basketball event are available at VirginiaSports.com or by calling 800-542-8821.