Drive to Detroit: Be Part of the Madness
Lance Rinker
Drive to Detroit is a series that prepares fans for Motor City Madness. Each article will take fans behind the scenes of a team’s journey or preview what fans can expect when they arrive in Detroit.
In this installment of Drive to Detroit, Horizon League Contributor Joey Yashinsky gives fans a rundown of the "Be Part of the Madness" events surrounding the Horizon League Basketball Championships.
Come for the yoga, paint party, and Champion’s Brunch -- stay for the dramatic men’s and women’s basketball tournaments with 18 win-or-go-home games over five days.
Beginning Thursday, March 1, the Horizon League will kick off a full slate of activities, inviting fans from across the conference to “Be Part of the Madness.”
Before any of the actual Horizon League tournament action even gets underway, the excitement will be in full swing.
On the evening of March 1, there will be a yoga session held right on the Little Caesars Arena court. The class will be led by certified instructor Courtney Welch. Registration will also include a custom “Namaste in Detroit” tank top, as well as four tickets to all Horizon League Tournament games on Saturday, March 4. The class will begin at 8 p.m. and cost for the event is set at $27. To purchase tickets and find more information, visit 313presents.com/yoga.
That same night, the conclusion to the Motor City Madness Esports Championship will be taking place at Little Caesars Arena, as well as a trivia contest beginning at 6:30 p.m. Winning teams will receive a special prize and all participants will be given a one-day general admission pass to all Motor City Madness games on a day of their choosing. Cost to join the trivia shenanigans is $5. You can register and find more information at 313Presents.com/mcmtrivia.
Before games tip off on Saturday, March 3, there will be an opportunity for a private tour of Little Caesars Arena and a Q & A with Tom Fraser, team chaplain for the Detroit Red Wings. It’s all part of “Faith and Family Day,” with tickets costing just $10. The event gets going at 10 a.m. and also includes a ticket to all four games on that day’s Motor City Madness schedule. The address to register and find more information is at 313presents.com/faith.
Later in the day on March 3 (6 p.m.) will be the popular Motor City Madness Painting Night. Under the supervision of The Lush Brush, aspiring artists will have the opportunity to create their very own “Spirit of Detroit” painting. A ticket for all games on that day’s schedule will also come with the package, which costs $35. Fun prize giveaways will also take place throughout the painting session. Tickets for this event are going fast! Visit 313presents.com/motorcity to reserve your spot today.
Sunday, March 4, includes a pair of events that will have kids of all ages bouncing all over the Little Caesars Arena court. From 8:30-10:30 a.m., the Motor City Madness Basketball Camp will take over the arena. Registration costs $25 and includes camp entry, a ticket to all four tournament games on that day’s schedule, and a limited-edition Motor City Madness Basketball Camp t-shirt. It promises to be an unforgettable day of hoops for kids that have always dreamed of dribbling, shooting and scoring on a real NBA court. To register, visit 313presents.com/bballcamp.
Later that day will be the first ever Baby Race at Little Caesars Arena. The event will begin promptly at 5 p.m., or when all the babies decide to actually get to the starting line! The age limit is for children two years old and under, and will also include a ticket to all four games on that day’s Horizon League Tournament lineup. Cost is $15 and of course, a special prize will be given out to the day’s fastest baby! To register, visit 313presents.com/babyrace.
The grand finale to the week’s events will be the Horizon League Basketball Champions Brunch, taking place Tuesday, March 6, at 10 a.m.. Panelists for the hoops roundtable will be a trio of former NBA greats: Rick Mahorn, James “Buddha” Edwards, and Earl Cureton. A delicious hot breakfast will also be served while guests listen to a wide-ranging conversation about a slew of basketball-related topics. For $25, you will receive admission to the brunch, as well as a ticket to both tournament championship games taking place that day. The women’s final is scheduled for noon, while the men will tip at 7 p.m. For more information on the Champions Brunch, visit 313presents.com/ticket-special-offers/groups/champions-brunch.
So get in that downward dog position; or pick out your favorite paintbrush; or enter that speedy toddler in the baby derby; or munch on scrambled eggs and enjoy a fun-filled discussion about the game we all love.
Each is its own chapter of the Horizon League Tournament experience -- and the perfect opportunity to “Be Part of the Madness.”
MOTOR CITY MADNESS
The 2018 Little Caesars Horizon League Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championship will take place March 2-6 at state-of-the-art Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Tickets can be purchased now at campus box offices or at HorizonLeague.com.
Drive to Detroit series
1: The District Detroit
2: College Hoops Invades Little Caesars Arena
3: #HLWBB Garners National Acclaim as League Play Tips Off
4: A Visitor's Overview
5: Five Awesome Spots to Eat During Motor City Madness
6: Horizon League Schools Making an Impact in the Detroit Community
7: Metro Detroit Talent Takes the Stage at Motor City Madness
8: A Midpoint Look Ahead to Motor City Madness
9: Motor City Madness Esports Championship
10: Horizon League Stories Gaining National Attention
11: Be Part of the Madness