BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After a long off-season of conditioning, weight lifting and pick-up games, Lehigh is anxious to get on the court to begin the 2005-06 campaign.
On Saturday, October 15, the Mountain Hawks will begin their quest for a Patriot League Championship as they open practice at Stabler Arena.
ESPN college basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb will host the event, as the former
Oklahoma State standout returns to the
Lehigh Valley for the first time since calling the 2004 Patriot League title game.
Fans, students, staff, and alumni are all invited to check out a full slate of activities, which includes a three-point competition, dunk contest and inter-squad scrimmage.
All of the action gets underway at approximately 11:00 AM and admission is free.
Fans wishing to attend should enter through the back doors of Stabler Arena.
Two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year Billy Taylor is thrilled to have Gottlieb on board for the event. “I’ve known Doug (Gottlieb) for a long time as a student-athlete and now as an analyst for ESPN. He is emerging as the new face of college basketball and has great knowledge of the game, which he can share with a wide audience.” Taylor continued, “We feel very fortunate to have him with us at our open practice, and we’re looking forward to what should be a great event and celebration.”
In conjunction with Young Alumni Day, Lehigh will also welcome back its former hardwood stars, as they take part in a series of fun events, including a free throw contest, three-point shoot out and a dribbling relay race, in the first-ever Lehigh Men’s Basketball Alumni Day. That part of the day is scheduled to get underway at 10:15 and will lead right into the current Mountain Hawks portion of practice.
“As is the case with any season, I’m excited to get back out on the court and start the year,” commented Taylor. “The guys have worked very hard in the off-season on all phases of their game, and we’re ready to begin our next segment of the season with the official start of practice.”
Taylor then added, “The Alumni Event is a chance for our former players to come back and interact with our current student-athletes and also to stay connected with the basketball program here at Lehigh.” He ended, “The support we have received from the student body, faculty and staff has been outstanding and the open practice lends those groups the opportunity to come watch us begin our preparations for the upcoming year. We understand that the Patriot League is going to be very competitive this season, but we’re looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
Lehigh opens its season on Sunday, November 13 in the BCA Invitational on the campus of the University of Wyoming in Laramie. The Mountain Hawks will take on Big-Ten member Northwestern in their first-round game. Tip-off is set for approximately 10:00 PM eastern. Lehigh will play three games out in Wyoming, before returning to South Bethlehem, where the Brown and White will welcome Princeton to Stabler Arena for the home opener on Sunday, November 20, beginning at 3:30. The Mountain Hawks are 32-8 under Taylor at Stabler, which is the best mark for any coach in Lehigh history at home.
Tickets for all Lehigh home games go on sale October 11, and can be purchased at anytime on lehighsports.com, or by visiting the Lehigh Athletics Ticket Office, located in Grace Hall, during normal business hours, or by calling 610-7LU-GAME.
