Slam Dunk to the Beach thanks sponsors

The Delaware Sports Commission is excited to announce it has once again partnered with three highly regarded businesses in Delaware for major sponsorships of the 2016 Slam Dunk to the Beach, set Dec. 27-29 at Cape Henlopen High School. Grotto Pizza, Megee Motors and Pepsi have all joined as official sponsors of the event. 

“We are very proud to be the official pizza of Slam Dunk to the Beach,” said Dominick Pulieri, owner of Grotto Pizza. “This is a great event for our community, the fans, the businesses, all of us. It is wonderful to have such a high level of competition right here in Sussex County. We are privileged to be part of such a terrific event." 

The 2016 field is headlined by three schools currently ranked in the USA Today Super 25 Boys’ Varsity Basketball National Rankings - 10th-ranked Patrick School (N.J.), 14th-ranked Paul VI (Va.) and 17th-ranked Neumann-Goretti (Pa.). Also, Westtown (Pa.), St. Benedict’s (N.J.), and Gray Collegiate (S.C.) were all ranked amongst the top 20 teams in the USA Today Preseason Poll. 

A wave of All-Star Sponsors has been added as well. They include ATI Physical Therapy, Carl M. Freeman Foundation, DE Turf Sports Complex, Highmark Delaware, L&W Insurance, SoDel Concepts and Sussex County.

During the event’s Dine and Wine contest, fans will be able to win a getaway weekend to the Delaware beaches by turning in their restaurant receipt from any participating Slam Dunk to the Beach restaurant partner. These restaurants include Big Fish Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Casapulla’s, Crooked Hammock, Fish On, Grotto Pizza Lewes and Rehoboth, Kick n’ Chicken, Matt’s Fish Camp, Papa Grande’s and Summer House. 

The Delaware Sports Commission also announces an extensive media partnership for the upcoming Slam Dunk to the Beach. Each game will be broadcast and streamed live on The Cube app and TheCube.com. The Cube is the easiest way to stream events, and more than 10 million people have watched streaming events on The Cube throughout the country. The Slam Dunk to the Beach Preview Special aired on ABC affiliate WMDT and is available for playback at https://www.youtube.com/user/slamdunktothebeach.

Slam Dunk to the Beach has been promoted throughout Delaware and Maryland through a partnership with iHeartMedia on 94.7 WDSD-FM, 99.9 Froggy-FM and Q105. The in-state matchup between Sanford and Smyrna will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1290 AM and nationwide through the iHeartRadio app. Slam Dunk to the Beach has also partnered with Delmarva Broadcasting Company with promotions on 101.7 WDEL-FM, 93.5 The Beach and WFAI-AM. 

A Fan Zone will once again add excitement to this season’s event at Cape Henlopen High School thanks to partnerships with the Delaware 87ers. The Delaware 87ers will provide a bounce house for kids Tuesday, Dec. 27, player appearances and an autograph session Wednesday, Dec. 28, and a visit from Caesar the Fox Thursday, Dec. 29. “The 87ers are excited to continue our partnership with Slam Dunk to the Beach, and we’re looking forward to participating in another successful event this year,” said Delaware 87ers President Larry Meli. “This is a great opportunity for us to connect with and support our community’s youth and help make a positive impact on their development.” 

Slam Dunk has also partnered with Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, Delaware Express, Gatorade, KDI Office Technology, Logomotive, National Guard, Savage Poultry and The Bank of Delmarva.

Three area businesses will serve as the host hotels for the 2016 Slam Dunk to the Beach. The Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center, Hyatt Place Dewey Beach and Fairfield Inn & Suites will host the tournament's national field as well as staff and fans during the three-day event.

“Slam Dunk to the Beach could not happen without the support of our corporate partners," said Delaware Sports Commission Chairman Dr. Matthew Robinson. "Their commitments make it a true community and First State event.  We look forward to working with each partner to ensure it is as positive an experience for them as it is for the teams and fans.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.slamdunktothebeach.com. For more information on the tournament, follow @SlamDunkToBeach on Twitter and Facebook at Slam Dunk To The Beach.