HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – August 15, 2024 - Hercules Tires is pleased to announce its continued partnership with the Big South Conference as the title sponsor for the men's and women's basketball championships. The Hercules Tires Big South Basketball Championships will take place Wednesday-Sunday, March 5-9, 2025.
In addition to the continued partnership, the Big South announced Johnson City, Tennessee, as the new host site for the 2025 and 2026 championships. The championships will be played at Freedom Hall Civic Center, marking the league’s sixth overall neutral site for its marquee basketball events in the conference’s 40-year history.
Freedom Hall opened in 1974 and is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2024-25. The facility has played host to more than 2,500 events since its opening act featuring Bob Hope 50 years ago. Freedom Hall has served the Tri-Cities region for all forms of activities, from concerts to rodeos, conventions to sports events, both local and professional. A notable event was the filming of Aerosmith’s “Ragdoll” video. Other memorable shows include Elvis, Elton John, REO Speedwagon, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Jelly Roll and Tyler Childers, as well as various Broadway shows, Disney on Ice, Ringling Brother Circus, WWE, PBR Rodeo and a Hawks-Knicks NBA game have been a key part of Freedom Hall’s storied history.
“We are thrilled to continue the partnership with the Big South as the title sponsor for its basketball championships," said Josh Simpson, President of Hercules Tires. "This event is a perfect fit for us, especially since it takes place in an area where we have several of our valued dealers. We're looking forward to supporting the community and being part of the excitement."
The Big South’s five previous neutral site conference tournaments were held in 1991-92 (men’s – Civic Center of Anderson, S.C.), 1993-94 (men’s – North Charleston Coliseum, S.C.), 1999-00 (men’s and women’s – Asheville Civic Center, N.C.), 2002-03 (men’s and women’s – Roanoke Civic Center, Va.) and 2022-23 (men’s and women’s – Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C.)
Van Wagner, the multi-media rights and sponsorship partner for the Big South, facilitated the development and execution of the partnership. Further, they have worked alongside Hercules to form the organization's additional NCAA sponsorships including the Big West Conference, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Sun Belt Conference and Western Athletic Conference.
“Both the Big South and Hercules Tires have been leaders in their respective fields for decades, and our collaboration—both on and off the court—has enabled Big South student-athletes to excel in the classroom, community, and competition,” said Ellen Harrington, Assistant Vice President of Van Wagner College. “We are thrilled to continue working with the Hercules Tires team to provide a top-tier basketball championship experience in Johnson City, TN, while prominently showcasing their renowned brand throughout the ‘Mountain South’ and the broader Big South fan base.”
Please click here, to learn more about Hercules Tire’s partnership with the NCAA.
For 40 years, the Big South Conference has been an exemplary leader in college athletics since its founding in 1983, dedicated to developing student-athletes through the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, community and field of play. The league’s growing presence as an NCAA Division I athletic conference is made evident by its multitude of athletic accomplishments, innovative marketing and media partnerships, increased television packages and most importantly, its commitment to fostering the academic, personal, social, athletic and leadership development of its student-athletes. Comprised of nine member institutions sharing a common geographic region and similar academic values and purposes, the Big South’s remarkable history of achievement is characterized by the league’s 19 championship sports and the profound academic and life successes of its more than 3,200 student-athletes. This has evolved into the conference’s “Where Winners Are Made” mantra as part of a strategic emphasis through its six Core Values of Academic Centrality; Athletic Excellence; Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Integrity; Sportsmanship & Fair Play; and Student-Athlete Welfare. For more information, visit www.BigSouthSports.com.
Van Wagner is a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, sponsorship sales, multi-media rights, and aerial advertising. Van Wagner creates, advises, and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands, and properties. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the MLB, NBA, NCAA, and international soccer, sponsorships sales, college multi-media rights, and in-venue content production at the world’s biggest sporting events. For more information, visit www.vanwagner.com.
Hercules Tires Continues Big South Partnership: Title Sponsor for 2025 And 2026 Basketball Championships
Host Site Selected in Johnson City, TN