Carrier Classic to Move East

No college basketball hoopla in Coronado this year.

The will be reprised and may include San Diego State, but the contest will happen on the East Coast, one of the organizers said Wednesday.

The inaugural game took place in Coronado on Veterans Day.

Mike Whalen of Morale Entertainment told radio station XTRA 1360 that he extended an invitation to San Diego State University President Elliot Hirshman on Friday.

"We're optimistic they will accept it," Whalen said. He said he chose SDSU because of the appeal of Aztecs head coach Steve Fisher and scheduling availability.

SDSU spokesman Greg Block confirmed that Hirshman received a letter from Morale Entertainment and said he forwarded it to Athletic Director Jim Sterk. No decision has been made on whether to accept the invitation, he said.

According to Whalen, the likely opponent would be the University of Connecticut, a traditional college basketball power.

, clashed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson at North Island Naval Air Station.

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This year's game is set for Nov. 9 aboard an aircraft carrier in Jacksonville, Fla., or Charleston, S.C., Whalen said.

Navy officials earlier said no carriers would be available in San Diego at the time, he said. The Navy maintained in November that they were pleased with the lead-up to the game, but said their defense mission must take precedence over exhibitions.

This year's edition also is set to include a women's game featuring Notre Dame.

– City News Service