| University Communications | For Immediate Release |
| Drew Wilson, Director, Media Relations | |
| 412.578.2095 (phone) | |
| 412.260.6807 (cell) | |
| 412.578.2080 (fax) | |
| agwilson@carlow.edu |
Carlow Celtics Battle Kent State Tuscara was in Non-Conference Clash onFriday, November 21, 2014
Pittsburgh, Pa. –The calendar says Friday, November 21, is “Light Up Night” in Pittsburgh, but the 18 student athletes comprising Carlow University’s first ever men’s basketball team will only be worried about the lights on the scoreboard as they battle Kent State Tuscara was (KST) in a non-conference clash that will be the first home men’s basketball game in Carlow’s history.
“The team has been working hard in preparation for this season,” said Tim Keefer, Carlow’s head basketball coach. “To a man, we are excited to have the chance to make history as Carlow’s first men’s basketball team.”
This is not the first time Keefer has been part of institutional history on the basketball court. He was the first four-year head basketball coach at Penn State Greater Allegheny, as well as having a long coaching career in high school athletics, notably, ten years spent as varsity coach at Pittsburgh’s Oliver High School, where he also served a stint as athletic director.
“This game represents an important milestone in Carlow athletics,” said George Sliman, Carlow’s director of Athletics. “Not only will the men’s team have their first home game on November 21, but it will mark the first women’s/men’s double header event in Carlow history, too.”
Carlow plays its home games in Oakland Catholic High School’sDonahue Pavilion. The Carlow women’s team will tip off against KST at 6 p.m., and will be followed by the men’s game at 8 p.m. Carlow students are encouraged to create a “blackout” by wearing black to show their support for the Celtics.
Carlow’s men’s basketball team is the second men’s athletic team at Carlow – the men’s cross country team is in it’s third season – and they – like all of the men’s and women’s teams at Carlow – will be competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) KentuckyIntercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC), where crosstown rival Point ParkUniversity also plays.
The idea behind a men’s basketball team at Carlow originated ith the students. A 2012 student-led survey of the undergraduate student body regarding which sport should be a priority at Carlow resulted in men’s basketball being a clear-cut first choice. The results of the student survey were presented first to an Athletics Task Force and then to Carlow’s administration, who readily responded to the students’ request.
“Throughout my life and career I have recognized the importance of athletics and the role they play in the development of our student athletes and in overall student engagement,” said Carlow PresidentSuzanne Mellon during the March press conference announcing the men’s team. “The launch of this team is a sign of extraordinary life, engagement, and vitality on campus. It reinforces Carlow University’s commitment to responding to our learners’ needs – whether they be academic, experiential, or athletic.”
### About Carlow University
Located inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carlow University was founded by the Sisters of Mercyin 1929. Offering both undergraduate and graduate programs, Carlow Universityis a comprehensive master’s institution dedicated to learner-centered educationat the collegiate levels and at the elementary school level in the CampusSchool of Carlow University.