Schedule details announced for Bill Walton Basketball Festival at Petco Park

SAN DIEGO - Schedule details were announced today for the Bill Walton Basketball Festival at Petco Park, a week-long festival of basketball activities set to begin Monday, November 30. The Festival will include local high school games, community clinics and corporate tournaments leading up to the first college basketball game in Petco Park history.             

As the jewel of the week-long festival, the San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team will take on the University of San Diego Toreros on Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 p.m. This will mark the 18^th consecutive season the teams have played each other and only the second time they have played on a neutral site (Dec. 1, 1992 at the then-San Diego Sports Arena). Tickets to see the Aztecs vs. the Toreros are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.padres.com/bball. 

Various CIF high schools throughout San Diego County will play basketball games on the outdoor court that will be built on the ballpark's infield. Both men's and women's teams from local schools will take the court beginning on Monday, November 30, with games continuing through Wednesday, December 2. Schools slated to participate include La Jolla Country Day, Mt. Miguel, San Ysidro, Southwest, Central Union, Castle Park, Sweetwater, Valhalla, Helix Charter, and La Jolla. The full schedule for the week, including CIF games, is attached.

Numerous non-profit organizations and community groups also will have the opportunity to utilize the court for events and clinics. The Monarch School, a Barrio Logan school that serves youth affected by homelessness, will hold a physical education class on the court, while students from neighboring e3 Civic High, located inside the new Central Library downtown, will use the court as they promote the importance of an active lifestyle in their health, fitness and wellness classes. The Challenged Athletes Foundation which provides support for athletes with physical challenges of all ages and abilities including injured military, veterans and first responders, will have court time for a wheelchair basketball exhibition.

In addition, Barrio Logan College Institute, local YMCAs and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego will have the opportunity to hold open gym sessions on the court for youth participating in their programs. Top Gun Basketball Academy will host its 7^th and 8^th grade championship games on Friday and Saturday, as well as a paid clinic benefiting charity on Sunday. For more information or to sign up for the clinic, visit www.topgunbball.com/billwalton. Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton will make several appearances during the course of the week. For more information, please see the attached schedule.

Court times throughout the week also have been booked for corporate use, with local companies using the court for team building activities and staff games. Limited court space is still available. Those interested in reserving court time should contact [email protected] for more information.