THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE

DESCRIPTION: The nation’s official hall of fame for men’s college basketball is more than facts about inductees. Here, you become the basketball star as you spend the day playing at over 20 drills. The 41,500-square-foot attraction contains hands-on, interactive basketball exhibits and houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. After hours, The CBE is available for private and corporate event rental.

ADDRESS: 1401 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

LOCATION: In downtown Kansas City, adjacent to the Kansas City Power & Light District.

PHONE: 816-949-7500

WEB SITE: www.collegebasketballexperience.com

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook-The College Basketball Experience, Twitter-@TheCBE

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Visitors to CBE will experience the coach-player relationship first-hand. Beginning with a last-minute pep talk inside the entrance elevator, a coach’s voice accompanies fans throughout the facility, guiding them through several dribble, pass and shoot stations to hone their skills.
• CBE’s regulation size court and street ball area are perfect venues for basketball clinics or pick-up games.
• Featuring Xbox Kinect technology, Handle the Rock challenges players to dribble to the beat of their selected song, performing a variety of skill moves.
• Sports Center fans will feel right at home behind the ESPNU anchor desk, where they can call the play-by-play of college’s most memorable games.
• Each visitor’s journey ends with a stop in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, a quiet space devoted to the game’s greats. Interactive kiosks offer a glimpse into each inductee’s legacy.

HOURS: Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. Open every day in March and over summer break.

ADMISSION: Adults $15, seniors $10, active military $10, ages 4-17: $12, Children under 3 free.

ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: Almost 400,000

HISTORY: The Kansas City-based National Association of Basketball Coaches founded the $24-million facility with the intent of redefining the American sports hall of fame. CBE was designed by New York City-based ESI Design, best known for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Kansas City area is no stranger to college basketball. Although the game was invented in Springfield, Mass., it grew from its roots in and around the KC metro. In fact, Kansas City has hosted more Final Fours than any other city in the nation (10). The game’s inventor, James Naismith, was the first basketball coach at the University of Kansas in nearby Lawrence, Kan.

WHAT’S NEARBY: In addition to Sprint Center, The College Basketball Experience is just steps away from the Kansas City Power & Light District.

ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS:

Each November, The CBE inducts a new class to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Tickets for the CBE Classic and Hall of Fame induction can be purchased at www.cbeclassic.com/hall-of-fame.

GROUP TOURS: Discounted admission is available for groups of 25 or more. Call 816-949-7516 for more information.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Take the MAX to the Arena stop or take the Kansas City Streetcar to the Power & Light stop (14^th & Main).

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

From the north: Travel south on I-35 into downtown Kansas City. Take Exit 2F and merge onto Oak Street. Turn right on 13^th Street and then left on Grand Boulevard. Sprint Center will be on your left.

From the south: Travel north on US-71. Merge onto I-670 W. Take Exit 2Q and turn right on Grand Boulevard. Sprint Center will be on your right.

From the east: Travel west on I-70 into downtown Kansas City. Take Exit 2Q and turn right on Grand Boulevard. Sprint Center will be on your right.

From the west: Travel east on I-70 and merge onto I-670 E. Take Exit 2R on the left. Turn left on Central Street and then a right on 14^th Street. Finally, take a left on Grand Boulevard. Sprint Center will be on your right.

PARKING: It is estimated that more than 20,000 parking spots are within 10 blocks of the arena complex. For a map of available downtown parking, visit www.sprintcenter.com.

PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Celeste Lupercio, director of sales, marketing and events, 816-949-7515 or celeste@thecbe.net.