Monday, April 2, 2012

A celebration of the school's most noted athletic accomplishment takes place Thursday at Sam Carver Gymnasium on the Western Washington University campus as fans honor the NCAA Division II national champion Viking men's basketball team.

There is no admission charge and there will be plenty of free food, prizes and fun activities. Parking regulations will be suspended on campus beginning at 3 p.m., and a free shuttle bus will be running from the Fairhaven lots.

WWU President Bruce Shepard, head coach Brad Jackson and team captain Rory Blanche will speak, and the WWU cheerleaders and the Viking band will perform.

The Master of Ceremonies will be Doug Lange, program director for KPUG and KBAI Radio and play by play broadcaster of WWU basketball. The Viking team and coaches will be introduced by WWU men's basketball public address announcer Brian Young.

Color team photos, which can be used for autographs, will be handed out. Autographed basketballs will be among other giveaways.

There will be video and photo presentations on Viking Vision, and the event will be streamed live at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wwu-live-events1 .

Food is available with cuisine from the regions of all three teams the Vikings beat at the Elite Eight, including Texas barbecue flank steak sliders for the quarterfinal win over Midwestern State, Texas; crab and cod cakes for the semifinal victory over Stonehill, Mass.; and Cajun hot link corn dog bites for the national title win over Montevallo, Ala.

There also will be smoked salmon mousse in pastry shells and “W” cookies as well as domestic cheeses and crackers, fresh seasonal fruit and grilled vegetables.