A planned men's college basketball game aboard the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum had appeared in danger of being scrapped earlier this month, but now has a title sponsor, San Diego State University announced today.
Northrop Grumman Corp. stepped up as title sponsor for the inaugural "Battle on the Midway,'' scheduled for Nov. 9 between SDSU, ranked No. 20 in the USA Today coaches preseason poll, and Syracuse, ranked ninth.
"Our country's active military, reservists and veterans have committed to preserving the freedoms we enjoy -- sitting outdoors in beautiful San Diego and enjoying a college basketball game aboard the USS Midway Museum is a reminder of just how fortunate we are," said Jim Zortman, the firm's sector vice president and San Diego site manager.
"'Battle on the Midway' will provide a unique and memorable experience to honor our country's veterans and we're proud to be a part of what promises to be a great event," he said.
The company plans to donate some tickets to active-duty military members and veterans.
The event originally was to be part of a festival centered around Veterans Day, but those plans fell apart in the last couple of months. U-T San Diego reported that the contest was in danger of folding, but the participating universities decided to handle arrangements for the contest themselves.
The initial promoter is reportedly no longer associated with the contest.
