SCB cancels 2020 National Hall of Fame Classic in St. Joseph

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Small College Basketball has announced the cancellation of the 2020 Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Classic and the postponement of the of the 2020 Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Induction. The National Hall of Fame Classic is canceled due to the altered NCAA Division II schedule mandates for the 2020-21 season. The National Hall of Fame Induction will be rescheduled to a later date. Small College Basketball Founder John McCarthy had this to say about the announcement:

"Due to multiple factors beyond our control, stemming from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it saddens me to announce that we will cancel the 2020 Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Classic. Additionally, we are postponing the 2020 Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. This will be rescheduled later. These events are a true highlight for all involved, and it's rather emotional to make such an announcement, yet I'm confident that it's the right decision, given the circumstance."

Small College Basketball is excited to announce that the 2021 Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Classic and 2021 Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Induction will be returning to St. Joseph, Missouri.

"On a much brighter note, I'm very pleased to announce that we will be going back to St. Joseph, MO, in 2021, as we will host the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and the Hall of Fame Classic at the Missouri Theatre and the Civic Arena in St. Joseph, for these marquee national events," McCarthy said. "We are very grateful to Josh Looney and all of those involved at the University and the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau. We're excited and optimistic about the future."

The 2021 SCB National Hall of Fame Induction will take place on Thursday Nov. 4, 2021 at the Missouri Theater. The 2021 SCB National Hall of Fame Classic will take place at the Civic Arena in St. Joseph on November 5th and 6th, 2021. Missouri Western State University will once again be the host of these great events. Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Josh Looney had this to say about hosting the events:

"Missouri Western is thrilled to host the Small College Basketball Classic and National Hall of Fame festivities in St. Joseph once again. Thanks to the support of Hillyard and the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau over the past two years, this event achieved scheduling support from the NCAA while shining the national spotlight on our community as host of NCAA Division II's premier in-season men's basketball tournament. We have been pleased with the economic impact in St. Joseph and look forward to continuing to grow the tournament in 2021."

The SCB National Hall of Fame Classic has taken place in St. Joseph since 2018. Last year the event included Davenport, USC - Aiken, West Texas A&M, Lincoln Memorial, Northwest Missouri State, Daemen, Southern Nazarene and Missouri Western. Brett Esley, Chairman of the St. Joseph Sports Commission and Senior Associate Athletic Director at Missouri Western, had this to say about both events returning to St. Joseph in 2021:

"St. Joseph is a great place to host sporting events as our city knows how to embrace and roll out the red carpet for visitors. The Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic and Induction is a pleasure to host, a great fit for our community and excellent tip off to the season. 2020 has certainly been an unprecedented time in many trades, especially the sports world, which has necessitated a pivot to this years' festivities. We are thrilled to welcome the event back for 2021!"

For more information on Small College Basketball, the Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame, or the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic please head to smallcollegebasketball.com.