Founding Sponsor NU and Mascot Navi the Navigator Return for Tip-Off Featuring NC State, Ole Miss, Purdue and BYU
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- National University (NU) — a nonprofit Minority Serving Institution serving 50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students annually — proudly announced today that it will sponsor the second annual Rady Children's Invitational college basketball tournament, to be held November 28-29 at LionTree Arena on the UC San Diego campus. Following the success of the 2023 inaugural tournament, tickets to this year's competition sold out months in advance.
"We're excited to partner with Rady Children's and Sports San Diego for this tournament, which brings together the best in college athletics while supporting an important cause," said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of National University. "At National University, we educate difference makers, and events like this highlight the power of difference makers — both on and off the court."
NU students are known as "And-ers," a different kind of high performer. Many are working adults who are dedicated to advancing their education while balancing family, careers, and serving in their communities. Though NU doesn't compete in sports, the university celebrates the competitive qualities in its students: resilience, determination, and a commitment to success in both their academic and professional journeys.
Adding to the excitement, National University's mascot, Navi the Navigator — a salute to lifelong learners navigating education, employment, and family commitments, will make an appearance once again. Last year, Navi was a huge hit with fans, especially children, creating a fun and interactive experience that added to the tournament's family-friendly atmosphere.
The Rady Children's Invitational tips off this Thanksgiving, November 28, with two games, followed by two more on November 29. The NC State Wolfpack, Ole Miss Rebels, Purdue Boilermakers, and BYU Cougars are the featured teams. The tournament, produced by Sports San Diego, is part of a broader mission to generate tourism, visibility, and economic impact for the region by organizing major sporting events, including the Rady Children's Invitational, the Holiday Bowl, and the California State Games.
"National University is deeply committed to San Diego, and partnering with events like the Rady Children's Invitational allows us to make a unique and positive contribution to the community," said Dr. Nancy Rohland-Heinrich, executive vice president of community engagement at National University, and president-elect for the Sports San Diego's board of directors. "National University has been in and of the San Diego community for 53 years with a focus on providing quality education to non-traditional, working and military students who are difference makers. Since its founding, NU has grown and now offers career-relevant programs ranging from certifications to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees."
National University's Whole Human Education model creates a supportive environment designed to help students thrive academically while also succeeding in other aspects of their lives. This holistic approach includes support in financial, academic, social and emotional, family life, and career areas, ensuring students have the resources they need to succeed in and out of the classroom.
About National University: National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego's largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 190+ online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 230,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University's new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu.
Media Contact
Ashleigh Webb, National University, 760-889-3494, [email protected], https://www.nu.edu/
SOURCE National University
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