Fox Sports Retains Positive Impact S+E For Second Straight Pearl Harbor Invitational Commemorating the 75th Anniversary Of The Attack On Pearl Harbor

The 75th Commemoration of Pearl Harbor Committee is proud to announce that FOX Sports is returning to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to telecast four college basketball games live on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7.  Participants include the University of Hawai‘i, University of California, Princeton University and Seton Hall University.

 

For the second straight year, the FOX Sports Pearl Harbor Invitational will be played at storied Bloch Arena, which hosted Elvis Presley in a fundraising concert for the USS Arizona Memorial in 1961.  This historic venue withstood the attack by Imperial Japan nearly 75 years ago and serves as a continuous legacy to those in uniform stationed in Hawai‘i.

“The 75th Commemoration is about acknowledging all the men and women who have answered our nation’s call to duty including our ‘greatest generation’ World War II veterans and Pearl Harbor survivors,” said Committee Chairman Adm. (ret) Tom Fargo. “We’re excited to have FOX Sports return here to raise awareness about our veterans, as well as our active duty service members and civilians, and their tremendous contributions to our nation and to the world.”

On Dec. 7, 1941, attacks across O‘ahu at Pearl Harbor, Hickam Field, Wheeler Field, Bellows Field, Ewa Field, Schofield Barracks, and Kaneohe Naval Air Station resulted in a heavy price paid for freedom: 21 vessels, including eight first-line battleships, were sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft destroyed and 159 damaged, and more than 2,400 dead and 1,200 wounded -- Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and civilians.

Using sports as a backdrop, FOX Sports will pay solemn tribute to our nation’s joint military force while enlightening Americans about the world-altering events that occurred here in 1941 on “…a date which will live in infamy.”

“FOX Sports was honored to broadcast from Pearl Harbor last year, and our greatest hope, at the time, was for the opportunity to return for the 75th commemoration,” said Eric Shanks, FOX Sports President, COO and Executive Producer.  “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the military for this unparalleled privilege to pay solemn tribute to our nation’s military and commemorate the lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor. We look forward to honoring the heritage of our U.S. joint armed forces, including World War II veterans and those who serve our nation today.”

On Tuesday, Dec. 6, FS1 presents live coverage of Princeton vs. California, followed by Seton Hall vs. Hawai‘i. The tribute will culminate on Wednesday Dec. 7, the 75th anniversary of the attack, with a contest between Seton Hall and California, followed by Princeton vs. Hawai‘i.  Broadcast times will be announced at a later date.

In addition, FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer will return Dec. 4 to be on-hand at Pearl Harbor, providing live updates from amongst the joint forces stationed at the base during FOX NFL SUNDAY, which broadcast live from the deck of the USS Missouri last December during a historic two-hour edition.

“To have four competitive teams playing at historic Bloch Arena on O‘ahu as part of the 75th Commemoration of Pearl Harbor is a special treat for basketball fans in Hawai‘i and around the world,” said George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. “But more importantly, the event will also remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day in 1941 and give thanks to our brave veterans and armed service men and women who have and continue to protect our freedoms."

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