GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) --- The Green Bay men's basketball team will continue to call the Resch Center its primary home through at least the 2023-24 season, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and PMI Entertainment Group announced on Wednesday. Additionally, in conjunction with the Horizon League schedule release, the program announced its complete 2018-19 schedule with a number of individual game promotions.

GB ATHLETICS AND PMI ANNOUNCE CONTRACT THROUGH 2023-24 SEASON
The Phoenix will continue to call the Resch Center its primary home. The six-year agreement continues a partnership that dates back to the 2002-03 season, when GB began playing its home games at one of the premier facilities in the state which opened prior to that season. The partnership states that all GB men's basketball home games, with the exception of non-counting games and one "homecoming" game during the Horizon League portion of the season, be played at the Resch Center. A non-counting game is a game where GB plays a non-division 1 opponent or hosts an exhibition game.

"The PMI Entertainment Group has and continues to be a magnificent partner throughout this process, and we're so proud to continue our relationship. It's such an exciting time for Division I basketball fans in Green Bay right now," said Charles Guthrie, Green Bay Director of Athletics. "We believe playing next door to historical Lambeau Field and the emerging Titletown District is electrifying. It's is a privilege for our student-athletes, coaches and fans to watch the highest level of collegiate basketball in a first-class facility."

The agreement also includes increased marketing and advertising support aimed at driving ticket sales and sponsorships. Green Bay and PMI will collaborate branding efforts to give the Phoenix an increased and refreshed presence in the facility.

"Our partnership with PMI is one of the many reasons Phoenix Athletics performs at such a high level," said Gary L. Miller, UW-Green Bay Chancellor. "Our facilities are some of the best in the Horizon League, and our game day experience is second-to-none. Bottom line: nobody wants to face the Phoenix at either the Resch Center or the Kress Events Center."

In 2018-19, GB will play 10 home games at the Resch Center, with the first game taking place on Wednesday, Nov. 28 against Northern Illinois. The other five home games this season for GB will take place at the Kress Center on campus, which includes an exhibition game against Michigan Tech (Nov. 1), regular season opener versus Wisconsin Lutheran (Nov. 6), Indiana State (Nov. 9), UW-Stout (Dec. 11) and against in-state rival Milwaukee on Friday, Feb. 1. The Indiana State game was moved to the Kress Center as PMI and the Resch Center will be hosting Monster Jam that weekend.

GB will also host Belmont at the Resch Center on Saturday, Dec. 1 for a 1 p.m. tip-off. That game will serve as the program's annual Alumni Recognition game.

The new agreement will allow particular games to be played on campus, which is geared towards engaging the UW-Green Bay student body with more on-campus events. Students receive free admission to all home athletic events, and will now enjoy a new student section seating area in Section 108 in the Kress Center.

"Our students are excited," said Eric Arneson, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Climate. "We're going to be bringing the Green Bandana Brigade back to campus for some of our men's non-conference games and we look forward to starting a new tradition with our inaugural on-campus Homecoming game. This new contract will create more student engagement at every Phoenix athletic event."

PMI and GB will also work together to implement new state of the art basketball stanchions, backboards and rims for the upcoming season. A new basketball court will be in place at the Resch Center starting with the 2019-20 season.

"We are excited the Resch Center will continue to be the home of Green Bay men's basketball for at least the next five years," said Brendan Bruss, PMI Entertainment Group Chief Operating Officer. "We look forward to working even closer with the university to form a partnership that uses marketing and other collaborative ideas to maximize the game day experience."

Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Linc Darner, the Phoenix is 31-12 all-time at the Resch Center, including a 19-7 home record in Horizon League play. The facility continues to rank among the top basketball facilities in the Horizon League and in the state of Wisconsin.

2018-19 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT
Darner will lead the Phoenix into the 50th season in program history in 2018-19, which will officially begin on Tuesday, Nov. 6 in the regular season-opener against Wisconsin Lutheran. GB will host Michigan Tech at the Kress Center prior to that on Nov. 1, playing in its lone exhibition game.

The schedule features 15 home games, which includes nine Horizon League games, five non-conference games and one exhibition contest.

"We feel that we have put together a very challenging, but balanced schedule for this upcoming season," said Darner. "Our schedule during the Horizon League season has spread out well this year, never having to play on the road in back to back weekends. I also believe our non-conference schedule will prepare us for the always tough months of league play, facing a run of very talented high-major teams as well as a few quality mid-major opponents."

In an effort create a better gameday experience, the department has put together a full schedule with individual game promotions, which includes giveaways, special theme nights, ticket and concession discounts, and other in-game entertainment throughout the season.

New in 2018-19, GB students can enjoy a party deck atmosphere for all games at the Kress Center when classes are in session. Students will receive special pricing on beverage and food items in that area, while continuing to receive free admission to all home games at both the Kress and Resch Center. Students will also have the opportunity to ride a bus for free to and from the Resch Center for all home games.

TICKET INFORMATION
To order season tickets or for more information on group ticket packages and availability, contact Shane Stout in the Green Bay Ticket Office at 920-465-5035 or by email at stouts@uwgb.edu. Individual game tickets will go on sale in early October. 

Coming this season, fans will have an opportunity to purchase a table in a newly-created Party Pit area at the Resch Center. 

2018-19 HOME GAME AND PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE
Thursday, Nov. 1 – 7 p.m.
vs. Michigan Tech (Ex.)
Kress Center
PROMO: Pomp's Tire Schedule Magnet Giveaway; Team Poster Giveaway; Post Game Youth Autographs

Tuesday, Nov. 6 - 11:30 a.m.
vs. Wisconsin Lutheran
Kress Center
PROMO: Prevea Health Field Trip Day

Friday, Nov. 9 – 3:30 p.m.
vs. Indiana State
Kress Center
PROMO: Happy Hour Concession Specials / Bud Light Night

Wednesday, Nov. 28 – 7 p.m.
vs. Northern Illinois
Resch Center

Saturday, Dec. 1 – 1 p.m.
vs. Belmont
Resch Center
PROMO: Alumni Recognition Day

Tuesday, Dec. 11 – 7 p.m.
vs. UW-Stout
Kress Center
PROMO: Student GB Ugly Sweater Knit Hat Giveaway

Thursday, Jan. 3 – 7 p.m.
vs. Youngstown State
Resch Center
PROMO: Star Wars Glow Cup Giveaway

Saturday, Jan. 5 – 12 p.m.
vs. Cleveland State
Resch Center
PROMO: Star Wars Lightsaber Giveaway / Hometown Hero Day / Festival Foods Family Game

Thursday, Jan. 17 – 7 p.m.
vs. IUPUI
Resch Center
PROMO: Bud Light Night / Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night

Saturday, Jan. 19 – 12 p.m.
vs. UIC
Resch Center
PROMO: Prevea Health Blackout Cancer

Friday, Feb. 1 – 7 p.m.
vs. Milwaukee
Kress Center
PROMO: Krash the Kress / Varsity GB Weekend

Thursday, Feb. 14 – 7 p.m.
vs. Oakland
Resch Center
PROMO: Bud Light Night / Faculty, Staff and Student-Athlete Achievement Night

Saturday, Feb. 16 – 12 p.m.
vs. Detroit Mercy
Resch Center
PROMO: Scout Day

Thursday, Feb. 28 – 7 p.m.
vs. Wright State
Resch Center
PROMO: Bobblehead Giveaway

Saturday, Mar. 2 – 12 p.m.
vs. Northern Kentucky
Resch Center
PROMO: Senior Day; Festival Foods Family Game

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