(-- The Beacon)
By Jason Hortsch Staff Writer hortsch12@up.edu
NBA basketball is coming back to Rip City for one night, and tickets are going fast.
Tickets for Sunday's Rip City Classic, an exhibition game organized by Portland Trailblazer LaMarcus Aldridge, went on sale Tuesday at 11 a.m. Within 40 minutes of going on sale, 2,800 of the available 4,800 tickets had been sold, according to Dave Taylor, Box Office Ticket Manager.
As of Wednesday night 3,480 of the 4,800 tickets had been sold.
Tickets are $25 for upper level end zone bleacher seats, $40 for upper level sideline seats and $50 for lower level sideline seats. Tickets in those three price ranges were still available Wednesday afternoon. However, courtside tickets ($100) sold out immediately.
The Chiles Center event is turning out to be popular among NBA fans yearning to whet their appetites for NBA action during the prolonged lockout.
Two such fans, longtime Blazer season ticket holders Larry and Georgia Muller, were ecstatic for the opportunity to again see NBA level talent.
"We have to get our NBA fix," Larry said. "I just hope the lockout gets over."
The game, whose proceeds will benefit charity, was first confirmed by Aldridge via his Twitter feed on Oct. 24. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the game will include numerous notable NBA faces such as Kevin Durant, Brandon Roy, Jamaal Crawford and Raymond Felton.
Associate Athletic Director Jason Brough is excited for the chance to show off UP's facilities to such a diverse crowd.
"As a university it's an exciting opportunity to host such an event, and we're eager to showcase our facilities and our game presentation," Brough said.
Joe Kuffner, Assistant Director of Media Relations, was also quick to note that such a distinctive event would give sports fans that would not normally go to the Chiles Center a chance to experience the venue.
"It's a neat opportunity to get pro players and those fans in the Chiles Center," Kuffner said. "The Blazers are the marquee team in the city, so it'll be nice to get those fans in the Chiles Center so they can see what a great venue it is. There's not a bad seat in the house. Plus it's just exciting!"
Brough also agreed that the event would be exciting for all involved, even the players.
"It's nice that they'll be able to perform in front of a crowd, and have the benefits go to such a good cause," Brough said.
The game's proceeds will benefit New Avenues for Youth, Breast Cancer Awareness and Providence/St. Vincent's Cardio Vascular Institute.
Aldridge thanked his fans over Twitter for their support.
"Just want to thank everyone that bought tickets so far to my charity game," Aldridge posted.
(-- The Beacon)
(-- The Beacon)
