NEW ALBANY, Ind. (March 2, 2011) — The City of New Albany will host a send-off celebration for IU Southeast’s men’s and women’s basketball teams in honor of their recent conference championships and upcoming NAIA Division II National Tournament appearances, Mayor Doug England announced today.

The celebration will be held Friday, March 4, at 3 p.m. in the Third-Floor Assembly Room at the City-County Building, located at 311 Hauss Square in downtown New Albany.

“IU Southeast is a terrific asset to the city’s population and also a strong economic development tool,” England said. “We want to publically recognize the terrific achievements of our hometown university and send them off with a positive showing of support.”

The IU Southeast women’s team, coached by Robin Farris, won its third-straight Kentucky Intercollegiate Conference title Saturday night, beating Alice Lloyd 72-58. The men’s team, directed by former University of Louisville standout Wiley Brown, got past IU East 91-85, also on Saturday night, to capture its fourth-straight KIAC crown.

“Winning a KIAC title and earning an automatic bid to the national tournament is very special, and I am glad we will be able to share in the celebration Friday with our community,” IU Southeast Interim Athletic Director Joe Glover said. “Our program is extremely honored to receive this invitation from Mayor England and the City of New Albany,” said Glover. “We have a lot of great support from our local and regional community and that helps enrich our student-athletes’ experiences.”  

The IU Southeast women will travel to Sioux City, Iowa, and the men’s team will head to Point Lookout, Mo., for their respective national tournaments. Both teams are slated to leave IU Southeast’s campus on Sunday.

England, Glover, and both head coaches will speak. The event is open to the public.