SAN DIEGO (Nov. 8, 2011) McWil Sport Surfaces employees begin laying hardwood flooring for a basketball court aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson is preparing to host the Michigan State University Spartans and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels for the inaugural Quicken Loans Carrier Classic basketball game on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11. U.S Navy photo by MCSA George M. Bell

Tar Heels, Spartans Tour Vinson
11/10/2011
by MC3(SW) Luke B. Meineke, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Coaches and players from the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and Michigan State University Spartans toured the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Nov. 9.
The teams arrived in preparation for the Quicken Loans Carrier Classic, a basketball game scheduled on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The Classic will be the first division one college basketball game played on the flight deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier.
For many of those on the tour, it was their first time seeing an aircraft carrier firsthand.
"I've actually never seen one before," Senior North Carolina Center Tyler Zellar said. "I'm from Indiana, so we don't see a whole lot of them there. It's amazing how big they are and how small they make our court look."
Tour highlights included the navigation bridge, the mess decks, a berthing compartment, the hanger bay, the team locker rooms and the outdoor stadium.
"[This is the] first time I've seen a carrier, first time I've been on one, and it's just unbelievable. I mean, this is my senior year and I'm taking all this in," Senior Michigan State Center Anthony Ianni said. "I just can't get over it right now."
As well as the physical size of the ship, the magnitude of the Classic's undertaking left Ianni a little overwhelmed.
"My first thought was, 'How are we going to play outside, you know? How are we gonna do this?' And, just seeing how they built the arena and the court, it's like 'Wow', you know, everybody here did a heck of a job putting it all together," Ianni said. "I'm just so thankful and so blessed to be here, and it's going to be a great night on Friday. I'm really looking forward to it."
The idea for the Quicken Loans Carrier Classic was proposed by Michigan State University's Athletic Director Mark Hollis, during a trip he and Spartans Head Coach Tom Izzo took in support of deployed service members.
"I had a couple chances to spend time in Kuwait with the troops over there in a thing called 'Hoops with the Troops.' That's kind of where [Hollis] got all this going and, I tell you what, this is way better than I thought it was going to be," Izzo said. "I can't even tell you how much we appreciate this."
The Quicken Loans Carrier Classic, organized by the Morale Entertainment Foundation and to be broadcast on the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN), marks the 2011-2012 season opener for both the Tar Heels and Spartans.

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 8, 2011) Civilian contractors raise the bleachers as workers prepare an alternate basketball arena in the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in case of rain. Carl Vinson is preparing to host the Michigan State University Spartans and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels for the inaugural Quicken Loans Carrier Classic basketball game on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Dylan McCord

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 8, 2011) Civilian contractors erect bleachers as workers construct an alternate basketball arena in the hangar bay aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in case of rain. Carl Vinson is preparing to host the Michigan State University Spartans and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels for the inaugural Quicken Loans Carrier Classic basketball game on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11. (U.S Navy photo by MCSA George M. Bell

Quicken Loans Carrier Classic is prepared for anything
11/8/2011
by MCSN Amanda Huntoon, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Production is underway on the Quicken Loans Carrier Classic basketball game aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
The Michigan State Spartans are set to take on the University of North Carolina Tar Heels at the first ever college basketball game on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
Preparations to set up for the event have been taking place throughout the week, with the construction of bleachers seating 7,000 people and a full basketball court on the flight deck of Carl Vinson.
Sailors assigned to the "Seahawks" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41, are assisting with the setup of the event. Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Marco Gilio and Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Carlin Henderson have donated over 30 hours of their time assisting with the construction of the event. In return, the squadron will be giving them tickets to the event.
"It is a really cool opportunity to be able to help set up for this event. I really enjoy being a part of this entire process," said Gilio. "I can't wait for the game."
Basketball legends Magic Johnson, who attended Michigan State University, and James Worthy, who attended University of North Carolina, will be honorary Captains for their alma maters during the event.
There is also a duplicate basketball court and bleachers seating 2,000 people being constructed in the carrier's hanger bay in case of adverse weather.
"One of the things that you have to plan for with an event of this magnitude is weather. Unfortunately there is a probability of rain on Friday, so in the hanger deck we are building a duplicate deck, smaller grand stands though," said Thomas Lee, a co-founder of the Morale Entertainment Foundation, the driving force behind the event. "Our idea is not to turn anyone away, if that were to happen, on a random basis we will have people in sections come down and enjoy the game."
Part of the criteria for running this event was that it could not cost the taxpayers any money at all, said Lee. Morale Entertainment Foundation had to take control of everything and all of the liabilities, which cost millions of dollars.
Morale Entertainment Foundation is primarily a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the moral of service members all over the world.
The Quicken Loans Carrier Classic will be held on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 8, 2011) McWil Sport Surfaces employees work on laying the hardwood floor for a basketball court aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson is preparing to host the Michigan State University Spartans and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels for the inaugural Quicken Loans Carrier Classic basketball game on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11. U.S Navy photo by MCSA Dean M. Cates

Carrier Classic allows players to support troops
11/7/2011
by MC3 Shannon Burns, Defense Media Activity - Navy
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (NNS) -- The upcoming inaugural Quicken Loans Carrier Classic basketball game will kick off the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) 2011 season aboard USS Carl Vinson on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
The University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels will face off against the Michigan State University (MSU) Spartans in this unique opportunity to support the troops.
"When I first heard about the whole big idea of the carrier I was kinda nervous because this is a game that puts you to the test," said Branden Dawson, Michigan State Spartans Guard. "This is something big for the program and the players. We're hyped and excited [to be in] this big atmosphere with the troops, the press and the millions of people that have a chance to watch the game."
Both teams expressed their gratitude to be among the first players to participate in the classic.
"I'm so honored that they chose UNC to be able to go out there to San Diego and not only represent our school but also support the troops," said Harrison Barnes, UNC Tar Heels Forward. "They do so much for us. They go out there and put their lives on the line every day."
This opportunity will give the players from both teams the opportunity to interact with Sailors and learn more about the military culture.
"We as basketball players get so much press so I think it's kinda nice to realize what this game is really about," said Barnes. "It's not UNC versus Michigan State. It's about showing appreciation for our troops. A lot of wounded warriors are going to be there and I want to say thank you to them.

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 8, 2011) ESPN trucks arrive with broadcasting equipment as workers construct a basketball arena aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson is preparing to host the Michigan State University Spartans and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels for the inaugural Quicken Loans Carrier Classic basketball game on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11. U.S Navy photo by MCSA Dean M. Cates