Briar Cliff University Media Announcement

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Briar Cliff University’s Annual WinterFest, Wednesday, Feb. 1, through Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, will offer a number of athletic events, student activities and new this year – a Chamber Opera.

WinterFest will begin with a varsity basketball doubleheader, Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Doane College in Crete, Neb. The women’s game will tip-off at 6 p.m., followed by a men’s contest at 8 p.m. The games will be broadcasted live on the Charger Sports Network at bcuchargers.com and on Kool 99.5 FM. BCU’s CHOICES organization will sponsor student Bingo for prizes in the Stark Student Center on campus at 8 p.m.

On Thursday, Feb. 2, the Charger women’s junior varsity basketball team will host the University of Sioux Falls at 6:30 p.m. in the Newman Flanagan Center on campus. Also on Thursday, the Charger men’s junior varsity basketball team will play at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa, at 8 p.m.

The Chamber Opera “Eve’s Odds” will be performed on Thursday, Feb. 2, and Friday, Feb. 3, in the Meis Recital Hall on campus. Showtime for this 50-minute free public event, sponsored by the Department of Music at Briar Cliff, will be at 7 p.m. Afterwards, students will be asked to “Come on down!” as they play “The Price is Right,” sponsored by Residence Hall Association (RHA), at 8 p.m. in the Stark Student Center.

On Friday, Feb. 3, BCU students will have an evening of ice skating, sponsored by BCU’s Campus Activities Board, from 9:30 p.m. to midnight at the IBP Ice Center, 3808 Stadium Drive, near Lewis and Clark Park in Sioux City.

On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Briar Cliff Wrestling Open will begin at 9 a.m. at East High School, Sioux City. WinterFest continues on Saturday afternoon in the Newman Flanagan Center with a varsity basketball doubleheader against the Mount Marty Lancers. The women will tip off at 2 p.m. followed by a men’s game at 4 p.m. Between the men’s and women’s games, alumni and season ticketholders will gather for refreshments in the Hall of Champions in the Newman Flanagan Center.

There will be several festivities on Saturday around the men’s varsity game to honor NAIA Hall of Famer and former Briar Cliff men's basketball coach Ray Nacke. Prior to the start of the game, the new court will be dedicated and named “Ray Nacke Court.” During the dedication, Coach Nacke and his family will be recognized.

A special tribute to Coach Nacke will take place during half-time. Immediately following the game there will be a “Meet and Greet with Coach Nacke” on the court.

Also on Saturday, Charger men’s and women’s track and field teams will compete at the Dordt Invitational in Sioux Center, Iowa, beginning at 9:45 a.m. BCU’s 2011 WinterFest concludes with a student dance on Saturday evening.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,150 students from 32 states and 11 countries. Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care, compassion and service. For more information, please visit briarcliff.edu.