March 17, 2011
SMYRNA, Tenn. – Vanderbilt will play host to 19 other NCAA teams this weekend for the seventh annual Columbia 300 Music City Classic.
Eight of the nation’s Top 10 programs and 15 of the Top 20 in the latest National Ten Pin Coaches Association poll will be on hand when the first game is played Friday at the Smyrna Bowling Center. The action begins Friday at 12:50 p.m. CT and goes through Sunday’s match play championship bracket.
“Once again we have been fortunate to attract many of the best teams in the country,” says Vanderbilt Coach John Williamson. “Some programs probably look at this tournament as a final tune-up for next month’s NCAA championship. It is a great opportunity for area bowling fans to see these outstanding teams in action.”
The Commodores are the defending champions but No. 1 rated Fairleigh Dickinson would probably be considered the tournament favorite. Nebraska has won the event more often than anyone else while Central Missouri, rated No. 3 most of the year, has always bowled well here.
Friday afternoon’s play will be six quad-Baker games. Saturday’s play begins at 12:30 p.m. with six traditional team games and the combined pin fall from both days will establish Sunday’s match play bracket, which will consist of three best of seven Baker games. That action starts at 8:30 a.m.
From a Vanderbilt perspective, the tournament is the last home competition for seniors Amanda Halter, Ellen Morrison and Kayla Rhoades, who will be spotlighted Sunday. There will also be the presentation of the first Harry Stoddard Memorial Award, given to a Commodore who best typifies the spirit of the late, beloved general manager of the Smyrna Bowling Center.
The complete field: Adelphi University, Alabama A & M, Arkansas State, Central Missouri, Fairleigh Dickinson, Jackson State, Kutztown University, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota State, Monmouth University, Nebraska, Sacred Heart, Saint Francis College (NY),Sam Houston State, Southern University, Stephen F. Austin, Texas Southern, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Valparaiso and Vanderbilt.
