Hoop it up in Anchorage, Alaska, Thanksgiving week during the 38th annual GCI Great Alaska Shootout hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage. Each year visitors and locals come out in full force to cheer on their favorite team in this fast-paced, college basketball showdown. Catch the action at the brand new Alaska Airlines Center, Nov. 24-28, 2015.
Throughout the years, many of the nation’s top collegiate teams have participated in the Shootout.
This year, on the men's side, the NCAA Division II Seawolves will host Division I foes Drexel, Loyola (Ill.), Middle Tennessee, UNC Asheville, San Diego, San Jose State and Toledo. The four-team women's Shootout will feature host UAA as well as Division I teams George Mason, Pepperdine and Conference USA champion Western Kentucky.
Select tournament games will also be televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network. The network is available on cable, satellite and video provider systems around the country.
Visit www.goseawolves.com/shootout for more information and to purchase ticket packages.
History
The Great Alaska Shootout began as a dream of Bob Rachal, who coached the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves during the 1977-78 season. Rachal, who died of cancer in 1985, wanted to put a fledgling UAA basketball program on the map and do it in style. With a personality reminiscent of a 19th century riverboat gambler, he parlayed an NCAA rule that said games outside the contiguous 48 states didn't count against your normal allotment of 28 and the lure of Alaska itself into a winning hand. The gamble paid off! Some of the greatest teams in collegiate basketball have traveled to the Last Frontier for this fast-paced tournament including Kansas, Duke, Syracuse, Marquette and Indiana, along with great players such as Ray Allen, Dwayne Wade, Tim Duncan and Patrick Ewing.
Thanksgiving in Anchorage
Reindeer, retail and recreation - In between games there is plenty to see and do in Anchorage during Thanksgiving week. The annual tree lighting ceremony takes place Friday evening in Town Square Park. Santa will be there along with his real live reindeer team. Don't miss the annual performance of "The Nutcracker." Kids of all ages will fall in love with the new sets, costumes, designs, and choreography from the Cincinnati Ballet.
While in town don’t miss out on unique shopping activities. Find the perfect gift at the Anchorage Museum’s Crafts Weekend. The museum carefully selects every artist so shoppers will be guaranteed authentic, handcrafted works. Anchorage also has the state's best shopping, with locally owned shops and popular national retailers splitting retail space. It won’t take long before everyone is crossed off the shopping list.
