Fresno State Athletics
BYU Hoops Game Coming to Fresno
11/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 5, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - In a significant update to the Bulldog men's basketball home schedule, head coach Steve Cleveland announced the beginning of a home-and-home series with 2009 NCAA Tournament team and three-time Mountain West Conference champion Brigham Young University on Dec. 12, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Save Mart Center for the highlight of "Conquer the Mountain Saturday."
"This will be a special night for the Fresno community to see us play one of the elite programs in the nation on our home floor," Cleveland said of playing BYU in Fresno. "I have great respect for their coaches and players. We look forward to the challenge and a packed house to support our wonderful young men in this premier game."
Information will be sent to all season ticket holders, who will have the opportunity to purchase their seats for this game as the special night is not included in any season ticket package. Tickets for the game will be sold on a single-game basis. Public seats will go on sale Nov. 23 at multiple pricing levels through Ticketmaster and the Save Mart Center Box Office.
The game replaces a previously scheduled neutral-site game in Los Angeles' Galen Center on the same date cancelled this past week due to unforeseen promotion issues. This will mark the first time Fresno State will compete against BYU since the Cougars left the Western Athletic Conference to join the Mountain West Conference in 1999.
"I sincerely appreciate the efforts of Brian Santiago (Assoc. AD at BYU), Dave Rose (BYU Coach) and Paul Ladwig (Assoc. AD at Fresno State) for their cooperative effort in establishing this series at such late notice," Cleveland said in a letter to Bulldog fans. "The good news is that both schools have worked together to establish a home-and-home series that will begin this year. The opportunity to renew a tradition-rich rivalry will be exciting for both schools and their fans."
As the Cougars' head coach for eight seasons (1997-2005), Cleveland transformed the program into a consistent postseason contender as he collected a 138-108 mark, garnered 2003 MWC Coach of the Year honors and won the conference three times with three NCAA appearances.
The Bulldogs will make a return trip to Provo, Utah next year to open the 2010-11 season on Nov. 12, 2010.
Earlier on Dec. 12, as the opening part of "Conquer the Mountain Saturday," the Bulldog women's basketball team will host a battle with the UNLV Rebels, another MWC school, at 2 p.m. in the Save Mart Center.
Full Letter from Head Coach Steve Cleveland
Dear Bulldog fans,
This past week, we received news that the Fresno State-BYU game scheduled for December 12 at the Galen Center in LA would be cancelled due to unforeseen promotion issues.
The good news is that both schools have worked together to establish a home-and-home series that will begin this year on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 at the Save Mart Center at 7 p.m. Fresno State will return the game in Provo next year on Nov. 12, 2010.
The opportunity to renew a tradition-rich rivalry will be exciting for both schools and their fans.
I sincerely appreciate the efforts of Brian Santiago (Assoc. AD at BYU), BYU Coach Dave Rose and Paul Ladwig (Assoc. AD at Fresno State) for their cooperative effort in establishing this series at such late notice.
This will be a great evening of collegiate hoops. There will be many ticket levels for all fans who want to be there for this special evening. Please go to gobulldogs.com for more information about this exciting basketball event in December.
Sell out the Save Mart Center!
Go Dogs!
Coach Cleveland
