2011 Final Four Houston: Schedule of Events

There's more to the Final Four than just the games.. check out these other exciting events the NCAA has to offer. Info culled from NCAA.com and other sources:

 

Thursday, March 31st - Monday, April 4th

Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero

Location: George R Brown Convention Center
Admission: $10 (ages 12 and over), $6 (ages 3-11, college students*, senior citizens (55 and older), and military*), Free (ages 2 and under)
*Appropriate ID required. Tickets may be purchased in advance at participating area Meijer stores or on the day of the event at Indiana Convention Center.

 

Hours: Thursday, March 31: 5 -- 10 p.m.; Friday, April 1: 10 a.m. -- 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 2: 10 a.m. -- 7 p.m.; Sunday, April 3: 12 -- 8 p.m.; Monday, April 4: 12 -- 7 p.m.
Description: Come play with the best at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero - the ultimate fan experience. Fans of all ages can test their skills and enjoy championship action with basketball competitions, clinics, performances, autograph sessions and photo ops, the latest in interactive games and demonstrations, prizes and more. Everyone's a champion at Bracket Town.

Tickets: Tickets

 

Friday, April 1st - Monday, April 4th

Powerade 3v3 Tournament
Location: George R Brown Convention Center

More Info: Registration & Info

 

Big Dance Concert Series
Location: Discovery Green

Hours: Friday 4-10:30, Saturday 11:30-8, Sunday 3-10:30

Acts: Kings of Leon (Saturday)

Friday, April 1

USBWA Awards Breakfast
Location: George R Brown Convention Center
Admission: $75
Hours: 8 a.m.
Description: The basketball writers will hand out the organizations' National Coach and National Player of the Year awards.

Final Four Team Practices
Location: Reliant Stadium
Admission: Free
Hours: Noon - 4 p.m. (Gates open at 11 a.m.)
Description: Come watch the student-athletes from the 2011 NCAA Final Four teams in their final practice before the national semifinal games. Enjoy the opportunity to hear from each head coach of the participating Final Four teams after the practice session is completed. Fans in attendance will be randomly selected to win national semifinal and championship game tickets throughout the day! Practice times are based on team seeding:
Noon - 12:50 p.m.: Game No. 1 Lower Seed
1 - 1:50 p.m.: Game No. 2 Lower Seed
2:10 - 3 p.m.: Game No. 1 Higher Seed
3:10 - 4 p.m.: Game No. 2 Higher Seed

Reese's College All-Star Game
Location: Reliant Stadium
Admission: Free
Hours: 4:30 p.m.
Description: The Reese's College All-Star Game features two teams comprised of the top collegiate senior student-athletes in the country. For the fourth year, the game will be played in the Final Four venue and will provide Indiana residents and other NCAA basketball fans the chance to see many of the best college basketball players perform in action for free!

 

Tip-Off Tailgate presented by Infiniti

Location: Reliant Stadium, Blue Lot

Admission: Open to game-ticket holders only

Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Description: The Tip-Off Tailgate presented by Infiniti is a new pregame addition to Final Four Weekend festivities, and will feature live music, food and beverages (for purchase) and sport interactives.

Saturday, April 2

NCAA Youth Clinics (sponsored by vitaminwater
Locations: University of Houston, Houston Baptist University, Texas Southern University, John Reagan High school
Admission: Free (Participants must be between 8-16 years of age [boys and girls] and pre-registered).
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
NCAA Youth Clinics Registration
Description: The NCAA Youth Clinics are a community outreach program that connects kids ages 8 - 16 with the basketball championship and provides them with resources designed to have a lasting impact. Participants receive sport instruction from NCAA coaches and student-athletes and get valuable information on fitness, healthy lifestyles and sportsmanship. The clinics also feature a session for parents and guardians with information on recruiting, academic and eligibility issues.

 

Tip-Off Tailgate presented by Infiniti

Location: Reliant Stadium, Blue Lot

Admission: Open to game-ticket holders only

Hours: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Description: The Tip-Off Tailgate presented by Infiniti is a new pregame addition to Final Four Weekend festivities, and will feature live music, food and beverages (for purchase) and sport interactives.

Sunday, April 3

NCAA Final Four Dribble
Start: Herman Square at City Hall
Finish: George R Brown Convention Center
Admission: Free
Hours: 3 - 4 p.m.
Description: Basketball fans, under the age of 18, will have the opportunity to dribble from City Hall to the Convention Center. Participants will receive a free basketball and t-shirt courtesy of the NCAA. Participants wearing the Final Four Dribble t-shirt will also receive free admission to Bracket Town on event day.

 

AT&T NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Show

Location: Cullen Theater at the Wortham Center

Admission: $15

Hours: 6 p.m.

Description: Come see the top men’s college players and coaches, as well as some legends of the game, receive awards from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The Division I All-American first and second team members will be present along with two coaches making it to the NCAA Championship game. Among the awards to be presented are the UPS NABC Coach of the Year Awards, the NABC Player of the Year Awards, the Under Armour Defensive Player of the Year, Big Man of the Year and the Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T to the nation’s most outstanding player.

Monday, April 4

NCAA Sports Career & College Expo
Location: Butler University - Hinkle Fieldhouse
Admission: Free
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Description: The NCAA Men's Final Four Sports Career & College Expo will enlist professionals from all aspects of the sports industry to inform, educate and enlighten high school and college students on athletics and non-athletics sports career options in addition to giving them an opportunity to meet with local and national college representatives.

NABC Championship Trophy Presentation Celebration
Location: National Champion Team Hotel
Admission: Free
Hours: Postgame
Description: Winning coach and student-athletes will be presented with the NABC championship trophy in a pep rally setting for all fans to enjoy.

 

Games: Televised on CBS HD

Reliant Stadium.

Semifinals:
Saturday, April 2nd
Game #1: 6:07 PM ET
Game #2: 40 minutes after the conclusion of game #1

National Championship Game
Monday, April 4th
9:21 PM ET

 

For other smaller events, check the NCAA website for the latest Houston Final Four events. Please email shawn@collegehoops.net if you'd like to add an event to the list.