The 2nd Annual Belfast classic is scheduled to take place on Nov 29, Nov 30th and December 1st. As the days progress and we get closer and closer to the event, marketing and promotional efforts have increased exponentially. Whether you catch a glimpse of it on social media, see in on billboards, watch it on TV commercials, hear about it on radio broadcasts, or randomly bump into Elvis the Elk in a mall, you will know that the Belfast Classic is big and its happening soon.
One effort I thought to be truly innovational was bringing a group of scholars along with Sport Changes Life staff accompanied by Elvis the Elk to local Primary schools and various clubs to create excitement and awareness of the Belfast Classic. On October 19th, at approximately 1 PM, Elvis the Elk escorted by a core group Of SCL staff members and scholars (Including myself) visited St. Clare’s Primary School in Belfast Northern Ireland. The moment the children saw the Elvis walk through the gymnasium doors the student’s faces lit up with excitement. We introduced the students to the Elk, handed out posters to students and staff members, and took some pictures and videos together. I can honestly say that every minute I was there, I sensed how eager and enthusiastic they felt about attending the event.
Being a part of an event this big is truly incredible. Sport Changes Life as an organization is bringing high-level competitive basketball matches to the city of Belfast! These competitive matches stand as the only NCAA tournament to be played in Europe. That is a really big deal. The second annual Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic will be groundbreaking. To be involved in part of the process, from a promotional, operational, and managerial perspective is truly amazing, and I cannot wait till the success of this event is broadcasted on CBS globally.