As we reported back in April, Michigan State vs UNC will be playing a college basketball game on Nov 11th (Veterans Day) on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson off the coast of San Diego, CA. Today it was announced that there would be a very special guest attending the event. The announcement was made shortly after President Obama expressed that he was heartbroken over the NBA lockout, so we can only assume this was a good second option.
“This Veterans Day, President Obama will honor our nation’s veterans by laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and then by traveling to San Diego, California, to attend the Carrier Classic on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson,” the White House said in a statement. “He looks forward to a great game between Michigan State and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.”
The flight deck of the Carl Vinson – which attracted attention in May for being the site of Osama Bin Laden’s burial at sea – will be designed to sit roughly 7,000 people, most of whom will be servicemen. Tickets will not be sold to the public.
“We’re honored that President Obama plans to attend the game on the Carl Vinson,” said Rear Admiral Dennis Moynihan, the Navy’s chief spokesman. “The ship is a representative of more than 100 Navy ships that are deployed right now. We see this as a celebration of service for all veterans, and we also see this as a great opportunity to showcase what our Navy does on a daily basis.”
The game will also be televised live on ESPN.
via SB Nation