UVa-Syracuse/JHU-Princeton Featured in IL's Face-Off Classic

[Sonny]

Baltimore, Md. - In men's college lacrosse, there are four teams which have won every NCAA Championship since 1991: Princeton, Virginia, Johns Hopkins, and Syracuse. Heading into 2007, Virginia--­defending national champion--is pre-season No. 1, while Johns Hopkins is No. 2, Syracuse No. 3, and Princeton No. 4.

Inside Lacrosse is creating the first-ever "Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Classic." On March 3, 2007 the college season will get underway in unprecedented fashion, as these four college lacrosse powerhouses battle it out on the first day of the season at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore – the same venue where the NCAA Championship will be played three months later. Virginia will play Syracuse, and Princeton will play Johns Hopkins.

"We're giving up a home game against Johns Hopkins. That should tell you about our commitment and our belief in this event," said Princeton head coach Bill Tierney.

The Princeton-Hopkins and Virginia-Syracuse games are a rarity in college sports--very important regular season games that are played within the first few weeks of the season. The Blue Jays and Tigers began regularly opening the season against each other in 1990. The early-season meetings between the Cavaliers and Orange date from 1996.

"This weekend in college lacrosse has been special for a longtime, with these games having a lot to do with it," added Virginia Coach Dom Starsia. "This is a very unique opportunity to put them in the same facility. We always look forward to playing Syracuse and respect the rivalry because it has traditionally been a ‘players' game. And this will be a great opportunity for all fans of the sport."

"College basketball has the Great Alaska Shootout; college football had the Kickoff Classic. Those events generate a lot of excitement for the season. We think this weekend can play the same role for lacrosse," said IL founder and publisher Robert Carpenter.

Blue Jays' Coach Dave Pietramala commented that, "Johns Hopkins is privileged to take part in this exciting doubleheader that will showcase four outstanding programs. Our staff and players look forward to representing Johns Hopkins University at what we know will be a great event."

The Syracuse program approaches the event from a similar perspective. "We are giving up a home gate against the defending national champions," said Lelan Rogers, the director of Syracuse's lacrosse operations. "But we think it's a great opportunity for the sport. It's a great chance for people to see four of the elite teams in one place. Lacrosse has never had an opening weekend like that."

"We haven't really had to sell this concept to anyone," Carpenter said. "When someone hears who is involved on the same day in the same stadium, their eyes light up. They get it."

The event will be managed in conjunction with, and support from, the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. Ticket prices will be $10 for groups of 10 or more, $15 for Lower Level reserved seats and $25 for Club Level seats. Tickets for the March 3 event will go on sale in early December.

[Sonny]

Times are set....

The times have been established for the two games that will make up the inaugural Face-Off Classic presented by Inside Lacrosse that will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on March 3, 2007. The Syracuse-Virginia contest will be the second game of the doubleheader and will start at 2:30 p.m.

The first game will feature Princeton and Johns Hopkins and begin at 12:00 p.m.

The four lacrosse powers are the top four teams in Inside Lacrosse’s 2007 preseason rankings with Virginia holding the top spot in the poll followed by Johns Hopkins, Syracuse and Princeton. The four schools have combined to win every men’s lacrosse national championship since 1991.

Ticket prices for the Face-Off Classic will be $10 for groups of 10 or more, $15 for lower level reserved seats and $25 for club level seats. Tickets for the event will go on sale on Dec. 1, 2006.