Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic returns to Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club is set to host the 2011 Dick Vital Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic from Nov. 11 to Nov. 13.

The event is the only clay court college tournament in the nation, and this year the event will include a party at ESPN sportscaster Dick Vitale's house, who is adding his name to the event.

“This event is going to feature some of the greatest players on the collegiate level,” Vitale said. “Lakewood Ranch is blessed to have teams like these, all coming here. I would encourage anyone who wants to get involved to sponsor the tournament with a banner that will hang at all the weekend events —including the party at my house. I’ll be here to introduce the players and it’s gonna be awesome baby with a capital A!”

Admission to the tournament is free and open to the public. Donations will be taken for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, a North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator.

Anyone interested in sposoring the event or hanging a banner at the tournament or at the party at Dick Vitale's house can contact the tournament team at 907-2255 or 907-2935. A complete schedule of the tournament will be released later.

Contact Eddie Kirsch at [email protected].