Air Force's hope of basketball game on aircraft carrier dunked by

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Mar 10, 2004 by TODD JACOBSON THE GAZETTE

Plans for Air Force and three other college basketball teams to play games on an aircraft carrier have sunk.

Navy officials balked at supplying an aircraft carrier for a sporting event while the United States is still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and nixed the deal this weekend, Navy spokesman Ohene Gyapong said.

"The Navy reviews all requests from entertainment and sporting industries for support and we determined that though we have supported events of this nature in the past, this event didn't meet the criteria we have to have meet before we render our support," Gyapong said.

"That criteria would be no impact on readiness, the best interests of the service and no cost to the taxpayer."

In 1967, the Harlem Globetrotters played on the USS Enterprise.

The plan was to have Air Force play North Carolina and Michigan State play Navy in a doubleheader.

Temporary stands and lighting were to be erected on an aircraft carrier riding at anchor.

Air Force acting athletic director Brad DeAustin confirmed Tuesday that the deal was off, but declined to comment otherwise.

Revenue from the game was to be donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides unrestricted gifts of $10,000 to families of military personnel who have given their lives in current military operations, according to the fund's Web site.

The NCAA had approved the plan, which called for the games to be played several days before the start of next season, and ESPN had agreed to televise the games, Air Force senior associate athletic director Mike Saks said last week.

The plans were always contingent on the Navy's approval, however.

"The logistical and technical requirements, as well as the force protection measures with hosting a major sporting event of this magnitude are significant," Gyapong said.

The event was the brainchild of Michigan State, which was behind a 2001 outdoor hockey game pitting Michigan State against Michigan in front of 75,554 fans at Spartan Stadium, as well as a basketball game at Ford Field on Dec. 13 between Michigan State and Kentucky, which drew 78,129 fans.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0256 or tjacobson@gazette.com