Midway Museum Prepares for Nov. 9 SDSU-Syracuse Game

A planned men's college basketball game aboard the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum had appeared in danger of being scrapped earlier this month, but now has a title sponsor, San Diego State University has announced.

Northrop Grumman Corp. stepped up to support the inaugural “Battle on the Midway,” scheduled for Nov. 9 between SDSU, ranked No. 20 in the USA Today coaches preseason poll, and Syracuse, ranked ninth.

“Our country's active military, reservists and veterans have committed to preserving the freedoms we enjoy – sitting outdoors in beautiful San Diego and enjoying a college basketball game aboard the USS Midway Museum is a reminder of just how fortunate we are,” said Jim Zortman, the firm's sector vice president and San Diego site manager.

The game “will provide a unique and memorable experience to honor our country's veterans and we're proud to be a part of what promises to be a great event,” he said.

The event follows last year's Carrier Classic aboard the USS Carl Vinson at North Island Naval Air Station. President Barack Obama attended the game, scheduled to coincide with Veteran's Day. The Carrier Classic is  to South Carolina. 

The company plans to donate some tickets for the Midway game to active-duty military members and veterans.

The event originally was to be part of a festival centered around Veterans Day, but those plans fell apart in the last couple of months, according to the Associated Press, via Sports Illustrated.

But the participating universities decided to handle arrangements for the contest themselves, putting it back on track. Tickets will cost $150 and up, according to the AP.

The initial promoter of the Midway game is reportedly no longer associated with the contest. The original promoter of the Carrier Classic told the AP they would like to return to San Diego next year. The scheduling is subject to the availability of carriers based on defense needs, the Navy said last year.

– City News Service