The Basketball Hall of Fame hosts the annual Tip-Off Tournament each November. The Tip-Off Tournament is an NCAA exempt men's basketball tournament sponsored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Each year, top teams and conferences will compete in the Basketball Hall of Fame's event showcasing its talents in New England's only exempt Division I college basketball tournament. The original Tip-Off was held in Springfield for more than 25 years. The format has changed, but the name has remained the same.

In honor of the late Dave Gavitt, the Hall of Fame has elected to name the championship trophies from the event after Mr. Gavitt. Mr. Gavitt was a long time supporter of the Basketball Hall of Fame - he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and was a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2006. In addition, he had the vision of to create the Big East Conference and served in many strong leadership positions with USA Basketball, and various committees with the NCAA. Mr. Gavitt's legacy continues with the Basketball Hall of Fame today as we annually honor the winning schools from the Hall of Fame Tip Off with the "Gavitt Cup."

The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 10 member institutions: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Loyola University Maryland, Manhattan College, Marist College, Niagara University, Rider University, Saint Peter's College and Siena College. For more on the conference, please visit www.maacsports.com.

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Birthplace of Basketball, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level Ð professional, collegiate, men and women. For more information on these and other upcoming events, please visit our website at www.hoophall.com or call 413-781-6500.