Sept. 13, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State athletics and the Papé Group of Companies announced the sponsorship of the Papé Slam/World Vision Classic, a three-day tournament which kicks off the 2007-08 men's basketball season at the Save Mart Center Friday, Nov. 9, through Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007.
Papé, now a partner with Fresno State, will sponsor the four-team tournament and bring a new level of energy to the tournament. University of Portland, Liberty University and San Diego State join the Bulldogs for this year's season-opening tournament, jumpstarting an exciting season.
"This is an excellent opening tournament with four high-quality teams," said Fresno State coach Steve Cleveland. "We have a great sponsor and are looking forward to starting the year at the Save Mart Center."
The tournament opens on Friday, Nov. 9, when San Diego State takes on Liberty at 5:30 p.m. The Bulldogs will face Portland at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 10, Fresno State will face Liberty at 5:30 p.m.; San Diego State will play Portland at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, Nov. 11, the final day of the tournament, Liberty will square off against the University of Portland at 1 p.m.; Fresno State and San Diego State will play at 4 p.m.
The Bulldogs will renew an old rivalry with the San Diego State Aztecs, as the two teams often met in the in the Western Athletic Conference. The two teams have played more than 90 times, with San Diego State beating Fresno State 93-78 in the last meeting in 2001.
In addition to sponsoring the tournament, Papé is providing on-court promotions, giveaways and hosting many Fresno-area customers and employees for all its companies throughout the greater San Joaquin Valley. As a major athletic partner, Papé is providing equipment for use in field and facilities maintenance by the Fresno State athletic department, sponsoring signage throughout the campus and promoting Bulldog athletics in a variety of venues.
"The entire Papé organization is proud to sponsor Fresno State Athletics," commented Tim Clevenger, director of corporate development for The Papé Group, Inc. "As we've grown our presence throughout the Central Valley, we see how important this type of sponsorship is to the community. We are all looking forward to the inaugural Papé Slam."
