2013 FIELD ANNOUNCED

EA SPORTS MAUI INVITATIONAL HOSTED BY CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY
ANNOUNCES CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TEAMS FOR 2013

Field led by projected No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed Syracuse

MAUI, Hawaii, March 6 – The EA SPORTSTM Maui Invitational® Hosted by Chaminade University today announced the eight Island Teams that will battle at Maui’s famed Lahaina Civic Center in the Championship Round of the 2013 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. Arkansas, Baylor, California, Dayton, Gonzaga, Minnesota, Syracuse and host Chaminade are the scheduled teams for the 30th edition of the nation’s premier early-season college basketball tournament.

As of March 5, ESPN.com’s Joe Lunardi has four teams in the 2013 field making the 2012 NCAA Tournament – Syracuse (#1 seed), Baylor (#3 seed), Gonzaga (#6 seed) and California (#10 seed).

“The 2013 field represents the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational's longstanding commitment to bringing the top teams in the nation to the island of Maui,” said Tournament Chairman David Odom. "With some of the country’s top basketball programs and great coaching minds paired with devoted fan bases traveling to Maui in 2013, we are excited for another fun-filled and competitive week of Basketball in Paradise."
 
Three previous Maui champions, Syracuse (1990, 1998), Gonzaga (2009) and Dayton (2003) will return to the island in search of another Maui title and early-season bragging rights. The four Division I teams that will participate in the 2013 Opening Games and Regional Games, will be announced at a later date.

2013 ISLAND TEAMS – HISTORY IN MAUI
Arkansas
- 2005: Sixth place (1-2 record)
- 1991: Second place (2-1 record, faced Minnesota in first round and won 92-83)

Baylor
- 1987: Sixth place (1-2)

California
- 1996: Third place (2-1)

Dayton
- 2003: Champions (3-0, MVP Keith Waleskowski)
- 2000: Third place (2-1)

Gonzaga
- 2009: Champions (3-0, Co-MVPs Matt Bouldin and Steven Gray)
- 2005: Second Place (2-1, MVP Adam Morrison)
- 2002: Fourth Place (1-2)

Minnesota
- 1991: Fifth Place (2-1, faced Arkansas in first round and lost 92-83)

Syracuse
- 1998: Champions (3-0, MVP Jason Hart)
- 1990: Champions (3-0, MVP Billy Owens)

Chaminade
- Participated in each EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1984
- 6-73 overall record (most recently beat Oklahoma in 2010 seventh place game)

The 230th annual EA SPORTS Maui Invitational will launch the college basketball season with another stellar field. The Championship Round includes Island Teams Arkansas, Baylor, California, Dayton, Gonzaga, Minnesota, Syracuse and host Chaminade. The Championship Round will be played fewer than 1,000 yards from the Pacific Ocean at Maui’s Lahaina Civic Center from Nov. 25-27.

About EA SPORTS
EA SPORTS™ is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world and 2012 marks its twelfth year as title sponsor of the Maui Invitational. With top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences, EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA JAM, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, and EA SPORTS Active.

About Tournament Sponsors
Other tournament sponsors include the Maui Visitors Bureau, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, adidas, Progressive, GNC, Geico and Reese’s. The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and Westin Maui Resort & Spa, all located in the beautiful Ka’anapali Beach Resort area, serve as host hotels. KemperLesnik has operated the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational since 1990.

About Chaminade University
Chaminade University, the only Catholic university in Hawaii, provides a rich educational experience. Chaminade is a place where people grow: professionally, intellectually and spiritually. The Society of Mary, the Marianists, founded Chaminade University in 1955 (as St. Louis Junior College.) Chaminade University offers its students an education in a collaborative learning environment that prepares them for life, service and successful careers.

About KemperLesnik
KemperLesnik is a sports marketing, events and public relations agency. Ranked by Crain's Chicago Business among Chicago's top PR agencies, KemperLesnik produces integrated communications programs and manages major national events, including the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, the McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Games, the POWERADE Jam Fest and activation for KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership. For more information, visit www.kemperlesnik.com.

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Simon Landon         
Media Relations Manager  
EA SPORTS Maui Invitational