MHSAA Basketball Finals To Stay At Breslin Center Through 2017

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Feb. 24 – The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Basketball Finals will remain at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing until at least 2017, after a six-year extension of an existing contract was recently agreed to by both parties.

The 14,759-seat Breslin Student Events Center has hosted the Semifinals and Finals of the boys tournament since 1994, and also hosted the Semifinal round of the tournament from 1990 to 1993. The Breslin Center also hosted the girls Semifinals and Finals in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Back in 2008, MHSAA and the University signed a two-year agreement for the 2010 and 2011 Semifinals and Finals for both events. This year’s dates are March 17-19 for the Girls; March 24-26 for the Boys.

“The central location of the Breslin Center makes it the ideal spot for our Basketball Finals,” said John E. “Jack” Roberts, executive director of the MHSAA. “Michigan State University and the Greater Lansing Sports Authority have made this venue financially and logistically attractive for us to continue playing our games and conducting the March Magic Hoopfest, and the entire mid-Michigan community has started to embraced this event again like it did for so many years when the games were played at Jenison Field House.”

“When you think of some of the greatest moments in the Michigan high school basketball tournament, they took place on this campus, and it is that history that we want to continue to be a part of,” said Mark Hollis, director of intercollegiate athletics at Michigan State University. “Many of us grew up watching the games in Jenison Field House when it was the toughest ticket in the state to obtain, and we’re pleased to be providing today’s student-athletes with the great experience of being on this campus and playing in one of the nation’s premiere basketball arenas. It’s great for our University and community to host teams and fans from across our State for this terrific event”