FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 16, 2021) – The Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off will welcome four more teams to Southwest Florida as part of the tournament schedule this season, expanding on its originally announced four-team field that was announced in March. All games will be played at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College during Thanksgiving Week.
 
Milwaukee, on the heels of signing top-five recruit Patrick Baldwin Jr., Bowling Green, Southern Utah and Yale will make up the Palms Division of this year's Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off Tournament, joining the already-announced Beach Division teams of Florida, Ohio State, Cal and Seton Hall. Each division will participate in its own four-team bracket during Thanksgiving Week.
 
Beach Division contests will be held Nov. 22 and 24, while Palms Division matchups take place Nov. 23 and 24. Final game schedule, matchups and television designations will be announced later this summer.
 
Official fan travel packages for the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off are now available for fans from all eight participating programs looking to spend Thanksgiving Week in sunny Fort Myers with their favorite team. Travel packages include tickets to each Beach or Palms Division game, hotel accommodations and parking at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. For complete travel package information, log on to www.fortmyerstipoff.com/travel.
 
"As we continue to make Southwest Florida a basketball destination during the non-conference season, the evolution of the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off is a reflection of not only the strong appetite for basketball in the area, but also the desire for college basketball's top programs to compete against premier competition in one of the best vacation destinations in the country," said Mark Starsiak, Tournament Director of the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off. "The combination of top-flight basketball talent and the unmatched sunshine and beaches of Southwest Florida will make for a memorable way to tipoff the 2021-22 college basketball season. We look forward to welcoming the teams and their fanbases to during Thanksgiving Week."
 
With luxury resorts Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa and The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village serving as host hotels, fans will have the opportunity to stay where the teams stay and experience resort life to the fullest. The Florida, Seton Hall, Milwaukee and Southern Utah traveling parties will stay at The Westin Cape Coral, and the Ohio State, Cal, Bowling Green and Yale travel parties will stay at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour. The Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, a Condé Nast Traveler 2020 Reader's Choice winner, is located directly on Fort Myers Beach, offering the perfect complement for fans looking for the complete vacation experience. Finally, the Luminary Hotel, a boutique hotel that opened in September 2020, is the premium locale to enjoy the many attractions of historic downtown Fort Myers. Three, four and five-night itineraries are available at each of the event's host hotels.
 
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel is annually rated as one of Florida's top vacation destinations. Located just two hours south of Tampa, Lee County's Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel are home to white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, superior shelling, exotic wildlife and lush foliage. Enjoy the quiet, natural setting in between exciting, must-see action at the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off. For more information, visit fortmyers-sanibel.com.
 
At this time, the only way to guarantee tickets for the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off is to purchase an official fan travel package. Ticket-only packages, based on availability, will become available this fall. To receive the latest email alerts regarding tournament news, ticket information and more, visit our website at www.fortmyerstipoff.com.
 
Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off Beach Division (Games Played Nov. 22 and 24)
Cal
Florida
Ohio State
Seton Hall
 
Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off Palms Division (Games played Nov. 23 and 24)
Bowling Green
Milwaukee
Southern Utah
Yale
 
Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off Palms Division Team Quick Facts
Bowling Green State Falcons
Conference: MAC
Head Coach: Michael Huger
2020-21 record (conference): 14-12 (10-8)
2021 Conference Tournament: Lost in the first round
All-Time NCAA Tournament Appearances: 4
Top Returning Scorer: Daeqwon Plowden (13.4 ppg)
 
Milwaukee Panthers
Conference: Horizon League
Head Coach: Pat Baldwin
2020-21 record (conference): 10-12 (7-10)
2021 Conference Tournament: Lost to eventual champion Cleveland State in the tournament semifinals
All-Time NCAA Tournament Appearances: 4
Top Returning Scorer: DeAndre Gholston (16.8 ppg)
 
Southern Utah
Conference: Big Sky
Head Coach: Todd Simon
2020-21 record (conference): 20-4 (12-2, conference champion)
2021 Conference Tournament: Lost in the semifinals
All-Time NCAA Tournament Appearances: 4
Top Returning Scorer: Tevian Jones (16.9 ppg)
 
Yale Bulldogs
Conference: Ivy League
Head Coach: James Jones
2019-20 record (conference): 23-7 (11-3, conference champions)*
All-Time NCAA Tournament Appearances: 5
2021 Conference Tournament: Canceled*
Top Returning Scorer: Azar Swain (16.0 ppg)*
* - Yale did not compete during the 2020-21 college basketball season
 
About the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off
Launched in 2018, the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off brings the nation's top college basketball programs together for two days of incredible competition to see which team and their fans will #OwnTheFort during Thanksgiving Week. Contested at Suncoast Credit Union Arena, the home of Florida SouthWestern State College, the four-team tournament has quickly become a staple of the Southwest Florida sports calendar. For more information on the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off, please visit www.fortmyerstipoff.com.
 
About Intersport
Since 1985, Intersport has been an award-winning innovator and leader in the creation of sports, lifestyle, culinary and entertainment-based marketing platforms. With expertise in Sponsorship Consulting, Experiential Marketing, Hospitality, Retail Engagement, Content Marketing, Productions and Property Creation, this Chicago-based Marketing & Media Solutions Company helps its clients engage consumers with compelling ideas, content and experiences.  To learn more about Intersport, visit www.intersport.global, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
 
Media Contact:
Dan Mihalik, Intersport, dmihalik@intersport.global