Mickey Place Tournament draws teams from across Canada

UPEI is excited to host the 2012 Mickey Place Tournament October 12-14. This year will be exciting with eight basketball teams from across Canada coming to Prince Edward Island to play in the annual event.

On the men's side, Tim Kendrick, in his second year as head coach of the basketball team, will lead the Panthers against tough competitors such as the University of Regina, Ryerson University, and Saint Mary's University. Greg Gould, newly appointed women's head coach, will see his first action when the team faces the University of Guelph Gryphons and the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. The team will then tip-off against the Memorial University Seahawks of Newfoundland.

The tournament is named after John Thomas 'Mickey' Place, a long-time friend of Panther Sport, a former UPEI student union employee, and a UPEI honorary degree recipient. He supported all teams and every player with a notion of competition that was quaint if not downright Victorian-he was a believer in 'fair play,' and that through respect for one's opponent, an athlete could gain the ultimate respect for self.

'We are very excited to kick off our 2012-13 season by hosting the Mickey Place Tournament. Regina, Ryerson, and Saint Mary's are all competitive CIS and AUS championship contenders, and we are looking forward to this early test,' said Kendrick. 'There is no doubt that this will be a wonderful weekend of basketball action!'

The cost of admission for the Mickey Place Tournament is $10/per day; UPEI basketball season passes are on sale now, which include admission to the tournament. The full tournament schedule follows.