[New York, January 19, 2012] SNY – the official television home of the New York Mets, Jets and Big East Conference – today announced that the 2012 SNY Invitational presented by MetroPCS will tip off Friday, January 27th at 6pm and showcase Benjamin Cardozo High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, St. Raymond High School and perennial powerhouse St. Anthony High School – the 2011 SNY Invitational champion. The consolation and championship games will be played on Saturday, January 28th. All four games during the two-day tournament will take place at Long Island University’s Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center. For ticket information, visit www.snyinvitational.com
During this year’s event, SNY and MetroPCS will make donations totaling more than $70,000 in scholarships and funds to the participating schools as well as Tri-State area students [SNY will present checks totaling $20,000 to the participating schools, while MetroPCS will present $50,000 in scholarships to local students]. Since the inception of the SNY Invitational in 2008, SNY and MetroPCS have made donations totaling more than $300,000 in scholarships and funds to participating schools as well as Tri-State Area students.
Throughout the two-day tournament, SNY will broadcast every game live in HD. On-air talent for the event will include former St. John’s guard and current SNY Big East analyst Tarik Turner and play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt. Brian Custer will again anchor SNY’s coverage of the tournament and Kerith Burke will handle the sideline reporting duties. SNY will also provide additional exposure to the schools and their students by producing multiple vignettes and human interest pieces about the individual schools and their teams.
“As we enter the SNY Invitational’s fifth year, we couldn’t be more pleased by what the event has accomplished since it was merely an idea back in 2008,” said Steve Raab, President of SNY. “We are proud to have created an annual event that is a pillar of SNY’s involvement in the community, and honored to have the opportunity to showcase our area’s outstanding talent – both on-and-off the basketball court.”
“The SNY Invitational is the best in-season tournament in the New York Metro area,” said Cardozo Coach Ron Naclerio. “I’m ecstatic Cardozo has been a part of the tournament in the past – is a part of the tournament now – and I look forward and hope to be a part of the tournament in the future.”
“St. Anthony’s benefits from this more than anything else we do,” said St. Anthony’s Coach Bob Hurley. “I’ve said quite a few times that I’d love to get invited a bunch of times over the years, but I can understand I’m not the only one that’s going to want to play at this tournament. We’ve been good enough for two years in a row – and we’re thrilled we’re here.”
“We are honored to play in what is becoming one of the top basketball events of the year,” said St. Raymond’s Coach Oliver Antigua. “The quality of teams and national exposure is tremendous. We feel like playing in the SNY Invitational means you’re one of the elite teams in NYC. Can’t wait to hit the court and showcase our team.”
“I feel really good about this year’s event because it’s in Brooklyn. We have a team that plays hard and competes every night,” said Thomas Jefferson Coach Lawrence Pollard.
Due to the positive impact that the SNY Invitational has had on the community, the tournament has attracted some of the Tri-State Area’s most prominent corporate sponsors – including presenting sponsor MetroPCS. Other official sponsors include:
►McDonald’s ►Spalding ►Nets Basketball
►Vanguard ►Time Warner Cable ►Gatorade
►Toyota ►PIX11 ►Lexus Platinum Dealers
►New York Daily News ►New York Mets ►Citi ►New York Jets
SNY Invitational TV and Match-Up Schedule: Friday, January 27th
Game 1: Friday, January 27, 2012 at 6pm
St. Raymond Ravens vs. Benjamin Cardozo Judges
Game 2: Friday, January 27, 2012 at 8pm
Thomas Jefferson Orange Wave vs. St. Anthony Friars
SNY Invitational TV and Match-Up Schedule: Saturday, January 28th
Game 1: Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 2pm
Consolation Game (TBD)
Game 2: Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 4pm
Championship Game (TBD)