Oct. 19, 2009

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina men's lacrosse team will participate in the Konica Minolta Big City Classic for the second successive year it was announced Monday by Inside Lacrosse Magazine publisher Bob Carpenter. The Tar Heels will meet the University of Virginia for the second successive year in the event at the New Meadlowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on April 10, 2010.

Carpenter announced today that Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, will take title sponsorship of the Big City Classic in 2010. The Konica Minolta Big City Classic will be the first event held at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on April 10, 2010.

The schedule for the Konica Minolta Big City Classic has been set. Delaware and Hofstra will face off in the first game at 1:00 p.m ET. The second game will be Virginia vs. North Carolina at 4:00 p.m. The third game will be played during prime-time with Princeton and Syracuse set to face off at 6:30 p.m.

North Carolina, Virginia, Syracuse, Princeton, Hofstra and Delaware have advanced to the NCAA Semifinals a combined 69 times. They have won 25 NCAA championships.

Ticket packages go on sale November 12, 2009, for the Konica Minolta Big City Classic. Ticket prices for the event range from $15 to $45. All seating locations for the event are reserved. Buy early to guarantee the best seats for this historic opening act at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Last year, the inaugural Big City Classic broke the attendance record for a regular season, lacrosse-only event with 22,308 fans in Giants Stadium. The second year of the event will break new ground for the sport as the first event to ever be played at the New Meadowlands Stadium. This state-of-the-art facility will open its gates to lacrosse fans at the Konica Minolta Big City Classic before serving as the new home for the NFL's Giants and Jets. The Konica Minolta Big City Classic gives New York area sports fans the chance to get an early look at the much-anticipated stadium.

"The fact that a college lacrosse lineup will open up the New Meadowlands Stadium is simply an amazing opportunity," said Carpenter. "This allows us to raise the profile of lacrosse and continue attracting new fans to the sport."

Inside Lacrosse has broken new ground for the promotion of lacrosse with its event properties. Now entering its fourth year, the event arm of Inside Lacrosse has brought unprecedented excitement and fan interest to college lacrosse's regular season. Inside Lacrosse has drawn nearly 100,000 fans to its five events, including 60,159 fans to its three events in 2009.

"We are thrilled to continue our long-term title sponsorship relationship with Konica Minolta," said Inside Lacrosse Publisher Bob Carpenter. "The commitment of Konica Minolta to the sport is refreshing and I fully expect lacrosse fans to notice. First, Konica Minolta embraced the tradition of the Face-Off Classic and helped fans celebrate the start of the season. And now, Konica Minolta has stepped up to shine the spotlight on lacrosse with the Big City Classic. We are fortunate to have them as our partner."