JUNEAU -- The Senate State Affairs Committee will hear testimony Thursday on Senate Joint Resolution 5 which urges the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to preserve preseason basketball tournaments, including the Great Alaska Shootout.

"The Great Alaska Shootout and the Top of the World Classic allow young athletes the opportunity to travel to an exciting part of the world and really broaden their horizons," said Sen. Gary Wilken (R-Fairbanks), a co-sponsor of the resolution. "These tournaments have become a tradition in Alaska, creating a sense of community and giving our residents a chance to see some great basketball."

The NCAA limits Division 1 teams to 28 basketball games each year. Tournaments like the Black Coaches Association Classic, the Maui Invitational, the Shootout and Top of the World Classic are exempt from this rule under current guidelines, allowing teams to participate without all of the games counting toward their game limit.

In October 2000 the NCAA Division 1 Management Council adopted a proposal eliminating the partial exemption for games played in preseason tournaments. The Council and the NCAA Board of Directors will consider the proposal when they meet this April.

"If the partial exemption is removed, both Alaska tournaments will be hurt, and the effect will extend to other athletic programs at the University of Alaska as well as our business communities," said Leman. "We are not going to stand by and watch while that happens."

The Senate State Affairs Committee will meet in Room 211 of the Capitol Building at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2001.

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