Rutgers to Face Rival Tennessee in Maggie Dixon Classic
Jul 20 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers women's basketball will play in the Maggie Dixon Classic for the third straight year, it was officially released by Madison Square Garden Monday. The Scarlet Knights will take on Tennessee while Boston College and Baylor will meet in the second match-up.
One of the premier events in women's college basketball, the classic will be celebrating its fourth year when the aforementioned squads meet on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the world's greatest arena.
Rutgers has met Army each of the last two seasons in the Maggie Dixon Classic. Last year, the Scarlet Knights defeated the Black Knights 59-38.
RU is 4-8 all-time when playing at MSG. They have previously faced UT twice at the Garden, falling 68-54 on Jan. 3, 1999 and 58-51 on Jan. 2, 2001. The Scarlet Knights and Lady Vols have met seven times over the last six seasons. Three of the seven meetings have occurred in NCAA Tournament action.
"I am honored that the Scarlet Knights have been asked to participate in the Maggie Dixon Classic for the third straight year," said Rutgers Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer. "The cause is one that has a special place in my heart. Maggie Dixon was a young coach in her prime, destined for greatness. I hope fans will come out and support the teams and C.A.R.E."
Tickets for the Maggie Dixon Classic, starting at $15.00, go on sale Tuesday, July 21 at 12:00 p.m. and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden box office, all Ticketmaster locations and online at www.thegarden.com. Madison Square Garden's remaining college basketball schedule will be announced at a later date.
The Maggie Dixon Classic is held annually in memory of the former Army Black Knights women's basketball coach. On April 6, 2006, women's college basketball lost a young and healthy Maggie Dixon, who died from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Over the course of her six months as head coach at the United States Military Academy, she led the program to unprecedented heights; the Black Knights played in their first Patriot League Championship and Dixon led her team to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
Over 325,000 Americans die every year from Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Madison Square Garden will again team with the Dixon family and the Cardiac Arrhythmias Research and Education (C.A.R.E.) Foundation, Inc., for the third-annual Heart Health Expo. All fans are encouraged to attend the Heart Health Expo where free heart screenings will be conducted for children and young adults up to age 22 to help raise awareness of heart related illness. The Expo will also include educational heart displays, health demonstrations, player autograph opportunities, and an appearance by the Knicks Groove Truck. Over 350 fans participated during last season's Expo, 100 teens and adults were trained in CPR, and more than 50 people registered to be organ donors.
