LAHAINA, Maui, Hawai'i – The Maui Jim Maui Invitational announced Friday yet another strong collection of college basketball programs for its 2021 field.
Butler, Houston, Notre Dame, Oregon, Saint Mary's, Texas A&M and Wisconsin joins Chaminade in the 38th rendition of college basketball's premier preseason tournament from November 22-24 at the Lahaina Civic Center on Maui.
"The Maui Jim Maui Invitational strives to bring the best college basketball teams and talent to the island of Maui year after year," said tournament chairman Dave Odom. "The 2021 field is no exception and we are extremely excited to welcome these teams to the Lahaina Civic Center."
The Silverswords will be making their 36th appearance in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. Although they have faced five members of the field in the past, Chaminade has played only one – Notre Dame in 2017 – in the past 20 years. The 'Swords have played Saint Mary's twice (1978, '81) but both were before the creation of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.
Oregon, Wisconsin, Houston and Butler all finished in the final AP Top 25 Poll in 2019-20. The Irish and Badgers will both be making their fourth Maui Jim Maui Invitational appearances.
About the Maui Jim Maui Invitational
In December 1982, then No. 1-ranked Virginia, led by National College Player of the Year Ralph Sampson, played little-known NAIA Chaminade University in Honolulu while on the way back from a trip to Tokyo. The Silverswords stunned Virginia 77-72 in one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history. Two years later, in 1984,
Chaminade University hosted the first
Maui Jim Maui Invitational and it has proven to be the premier early-season college basketball tournament for 36 years running. Each year, the Maui Jim Maui Invitational attracts the top programs, best-known coaches and most outstanding players to compete in an exciting atmosphere at the
Lahaina Civic Center near the beautiful beaches of
Maui.
About Maui Jim Sunglasses
Maui Jim sunglasses were born on the beaches of Maui and designed to protect eyes from the harsh rays of the island sun. Today, Maui Jim is recognized for unparalleled "Aloha Spirt" and customer service as well as patented PolarizedPlus® lens technology, which blocks 100% of UV rays and eliminates glare while enhancing color, definition and depth perception. Maui Jim sunglasses have earned the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin. For more information, visit
MauiJim.com or on
Facebook,
Twitter or
Instagram at @OfficialMauiJim.
About Tournament Sponsors
Other sponsors include the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, HMSA, Continental Tire and Tommy Bahama. 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, serves as host hotels.
About Chaminade University
Chaminade University is a private, Catholic university offering more than 25 undergraduate and graduate programs and is federally designated as a Native Hawaiian serving institution. Guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educated traditions, Chaminade prepares students for careers in an evolving global marketplace rooted in the development of moral character, person competencies and a commitment to build a just and peaceful society. Please visit
chaminade.edu for more information.
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 Maui Jim Maui Invitational, the
McDonald's All-American Games, the
POWERADE Jam Fest and activation for
KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership. KemperLesnik has operated the Maui Jim Maui Invitational since 1990. For more information, visit
www.kemperlesnik.com.
