Oklahoma State University Athletics
2008 Big 12 Championship Info
March 10, 2008 | Cowboy Basketball
| The Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship will return to Kansas City in 2008, but in a sparkling, brand-new venue. Scheduled to open in October 2007, the Sprint Center will be the home of the league championship for three of the next four seasons. This year will mark the eighth time that Kansas City has hosted Big 12 postseason competition – more than any other city in the conference. The 2008 event, however, will be unlike any other that has taken place in the City of Fountains, as the Sprint Center will help usher in a new era in Kansas City. In addition to the arena, a new entertainment and retail project – The Power & Light District – will also be open by March 2008. The seven-block area between Municipal Auditorium (home of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship) and Bartle Hall and the Sprint Center will be transformed into approximately 450,000 square feet of retail and entertainment in its initial phase. The Sprint Center, which will seat more than 18,000 fans, is also located adjacent to the NABC College Basketball Hall of Fame and College Basketball Experience. The four-day, 11-game Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship is scheduled for March 13-16 in the final year of a Thursday – Sunday format. Beginning in 2009, the postseason event will be held from Wednesday to Saturday. Four different teams have won the 11 previous titles at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship. Kansas has won the most with five crowns, followed by Oklahoma (3), Oklahoma State (2) and Iowa State (1). The Jayhawks captured the postseason title the last two years, their first ones since winning the initial three league postseason championships from 1997-99.
All times Central Standard
| The 2008 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship returns to Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium for the eighth time in conference history. Kansas City hosted the first six women's postseason events from 1997-2002, in addition to the 2005 championship. Municipal Auditorium opened in 1936 and has hosted nearly every type of event from U.S. presidential campaigns to NCAA Final Four championships. It has hosted more Final Fours than any other facility with nine total as well as the NCAA Women's Basketball Midwest Regionals in 2000 and 2005. The arena can seat 10,700 people with 7,300 permanent upholstered seats. Municipal Auditorium features a 92-foot ceiling and a 26,200 square foot floor built of oak two-by-fours set on end. Special sports lighting can be lowered to provide intense lighting at the center of the floor. Renovations, including the scoreboard and locker rooms were completed prior to the 2005 championship. The auditorium is accessible from the south side of 13th Street where visitors enter through the splendid 3,600-square foot Grand Foyer. The arena is also connected by covered walkways to Bartle Hall, the Conference Center and the Auditorium Plaza Garage. It is a short walk to the newly-opened Sprint Center, site of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship.
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Men's & Women's Big 12 Tournament Fan Activities
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OSU Pep Rallies
OSU will be hosting pep rallies for the men's and women's teams next week in Kansas City. The dates and times will be announced on Monday, March 10th.
The women's rallies will be held in the Convention Center, which is right next door to the Municipal Auditorium, where the women's tournament is being held. The men's rallies will be held at the Basketball Oasis tent, located right in Kansas City Live, across the street from the Sprint Center, where the men's tournament is being held.
Official OSU Party Headquarters
McFadden's Sports Saloon () will serve as the official OSU Party Headquarters during both the men's and women's tournament. Located in the Power & Light District right in the heart of the action, McFadden's has everything you need...food, drinks, music and TVs!
Benton's Steak & Chop House is another option, for those looking for a more relaxed, intimate atmosphere. It is located on the top floor of the Westin Crown Center (the team hotel) and features panoramic views of the downtown skyline, cozy fireplaces and a distinct atmosphere. Benton's also has live jazz featuring Stephanie Laws every Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Thursday @ 6:30pm-9:30pm. Friday and Saturday @ 7:30pm-11:30pm.
Kansas City Power & Light District
The Kansas City Power & Light District () is an eight-square block entertainment center, located just steps from the Sprint Center and the Municipal Auditorium. This area will serve as the official headquarters for all Big 12 tournament fans. It includes a huge TV screen in the courtyard featuring all of the tournament's games; numerous bars and restaurants; daily concerts on the Live stage; and a daily Fan Fest for basketball fans of all ages.
Shuttle Service
There's no need to move your car to get from your hotel to the game sites. The MAX (Metro Area Express) will be providing shuttle service for fans between the major hotels and the game and event venues.
- Crown Center Shuttle will begin running 55 minutes prior to the first game and will run every 15-20 minutes thereafter. Pick-up points will be Union Station, Westin and Hyatt.
- Plaza Shuttle will begin running 1 hr 15 minutes prior to the first game and will run every 15-20 minutes thereafter. Pick-up points are: Sheraton Suites, Intercontinental, Marriott Crown Plaza, Holiday Inn, Best Western and Embassy Suites.
Additional details about the Tournament can be found on the Kansas City Convention & Visitor's Bureau website
