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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- March 16, 2000
Contact: John Johnson or Andy Frushour-- 517.332.5046

Here 4 Hoops Program In Third Year At Boys Basketball Finals

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- March 16 - Fans attending the 2000 Michigan High School Athletic Association Boys Basketball Finals, March 23-25 at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing will have an opportunity to take advantage of discounts and specials at businesses in the area by presenting their game ticket stub at participating merchants displaying a Here 4 Hoops sign.

The Here 4 Hoops program is a cooperative venture of the MHSAA, corporate partners Farm Bureau Insurance and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, and participating downtown East Lansing merchants.
Businesses displaying a bright orange Here 4 Hoops sign will be offering discounts and specials to tournament goers.

"We owe a special thanks to the East Lansing business community for its promotion of the Boys Basketball Finals," said John E. "Jack" Roberts, executive director of the MHSAA. "These groups have helped heighten public awareness of the event by underwriting the cost of the March Magic banners in East Lansing, and Here 4 Hoops is our way of saying thanks for that support."

The MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals will draw over 60,000 spectators to the area again in 2000. According to a study released in 1997 by the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, the event is a financial boon to its host community, creating $10.4 million in direct spending and an economic impact in excess of over $20 million, making it the largest, single-weekend, annual sporting event in the greater Lansing area.

Participating merchants will be displaying Here 4 Hoops signs in their storefronts. Downtown East Lansing merchants participating in Here 4 Hoops are: Bagel Fragel, 527 E. Grand River; Beaner's Gourmet Coffee, 270 W. Grand River; Beaner's Gourmet Coffee, 1331 E. Grand River; CD Warehouse, 228 Abbott; Douglas J, 333 Albert, Suite 110; Espresso Royale, 547 E. Grand River; Footgear, 108 Division; Fortress Comics, 425 Albert Ave; Hankin's Gallery, 280 M.A.C.; Kilwin's Chocolate and Ice Cream, 403 E. Grand River; Peanut Barrel, 521 E. Grand River; Starbuck's Coffee Company, 412 Albert; State Discount, 501 E. Grand River; Student Book Store, 421 E. Grand River; Tower Records, 115 E. Grand River; Verita's, 108 Division; and Wherehouse Records, 515 E. Grand River.


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