Aug. 25, 2010
Battle At Atlantis website
Yellow Jackets’ first pre-season strength and conditioning workout
Paradise Island, Bahamas – Georgia Tech will face Richmond, and Virginia Tech will take on Mississippi State in the Battle at Atlantis on Saturday, December 18, 2010 during the inaugural Division I Men’s college basketball doubleheader hosted at the famed Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas.
The four teams will play in a new 4,500-seat arena to be unveiled in the 60,000 square-foot conference center. The half-million dollar temporary stadium will boast state-of-the-art regulation facilities at the epicenter of the world’s largest open-air marine habitat complete with lavish guest accommodations, restaurants, bars, spa, lounges, waterslides and the largest casino in the Bahamas. In addition to enjoying appearances by former NCAA All-American, NBA Star and current ESPN/CBS Sports Analyst Len Elmore, fans will enjoy over-the-top prizes including a collection of high stake half-court shots with payouts in the six figures.
This will be the fourth trip off the mainland of the United States for Tech’s basketball team since the 2006-07 team, when the Yellow Jackets played in the EA Sports Maui Invitational. Hewitt’s team also has played in the 2007 Paradise Jam in the St. Thomas, USVI, and the 2009 O’reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
Georgia Tech has an all-time record of 5-4 against Richmond. The last meeting took place at the Robins Center in Richmond, a 65-60 Tech victory, in 1993.
“This is a great opportunity to take part in a new event and take our players to a great destination,” says Coach Paul Hewitt. “We’re also happy to be able to play a high quality opponent in Richmond, which has a solid and competitive program. Our team this year is going to be a fun group to coach. I’m really going to get back to my roots with this team. It’s similar to what I inherited at Siena, and to what we had here when I started. Tremendous three-point shooting, a lot of scrapping and hustling from the perimeter guys. It should be an exciting, high-scoring team.”
The game is part of a challenging non-conference schedule for the Yellow Jackets that includes road games against Kennesaw State, Northwestern, Richmond, Siena, UTEP and either Syracuse or Michigan. At home, Tech will face Charleston Southern, Albany, Niagara, Georgia, Savannah State, Fordham, Mercer, Charlotte and Chattanooga. The complete 2010-11 schedule with dates, times and television will be announced next week.
Home to some of the most extravagant events in the world, Atlantis hopes to expand the inaugural Division I Men’s doubleheader into an eight-team tournament next year.
“When we decided to get into college basketball, we said let’s make it the biggest, most fantastic event ever,” says George Markantonis, President/Managing Director, Kerzner International Bahamas. “We know these teams will create an energy and excitement here that is unparalleled. It will be a sports experience unlike any other in a beautiful resort destination, something we are confident our guests and college basketball fans around the nation will love.”
Exclusive fan rates for the Battle at Atlantis weekend start at $149 per night for travel from 12/12/10-12/20/10 and include two complimentary tickets to both games with a minimum two-night reservation. Additional tickets can be purchased for $20-$35 per seat. Special 4-day/3-night Battle at Atlantis weekend packages start at $229/person. For more information or reservations call 1-800-ATLANTIS or visit www.atlantis.com/battleatatlantis.
“We have been doing events like this for years, but on a much smaller scale,” says the honorable Minister Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas. “With the encouragement and partnership with Atlantis, the upcoming Battle at Atlantis in December will attract visitors here who would not ordinarily visit the Bahamas and further expand tourism in the Bahamas for years to come within a new market segment.”
About Atlantis, Paradise Island resort, The Bahamas
Atlantis, Paradise Island is the flagship resort of Kerzner International, a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts, casinos and luxury hotels. This unique, ocean-themed destination is located on Paradise Island, The Bahamas, and features a variety of accommodations, all built around a 141-acre waterscape comprised of over 20 million gallons of fresh and saltwater lagoons, pools and habitats. Home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world, there are over 50,000 marine animals in lagoons and displays, including The Dig, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis.
Atlantis is home to Aquaventure, a non-stop water experience consisting of thrilling water slides, a mile-long river ride with high intensity rapids and wave surges, and never-before-seen special effects. Dolphin Cay, the resort’s interaction and education center, was created with the goal of enlightening visitors about the wonders of these remarkable ocean inhabitants. The Cove Atlantis, a 600-room resort, features oversized rooms with a step down living space, spectacular designs by acclaimed interior architects Jeffrey Beers and David Rockwell, unprecedented services and amenities, private all-adult and family pools, lavish cabanas and breathtaking views of the ocean. Atlantis is also known as THE culinary destination in The Caribbean with a collection of restaurants from world-renowned chefs including Nobu Matsuhisa, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Bobby Flay. The resort boasts an impressive collection of luxury boutiques and shops, and the largest casino, conference center and meeting and convention facilities in The Caribbean.
For further information about Atlantis, Paradise Island; telephone 954-809-2000, or visit Atlantis.com. For reservations, call your travel agent or 800-ATLANTIS.
