ERIE – The NBA Development League Erie BayHawks today announced they will host their first ever, home, pre-season game against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants at the Meadville Area Senior High School, November 20, in a 7 PM tip off. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the school’s stadium turf replacement fund.

“We see this opportunity as a real win-win situation. First, it allows us to showcase the team to a nearby community of potential fans,” said BayHawks president Matt Bresee. “Secondly, it gives us the chance to reach out to a community that has seen some difficult times recently given the state of our current economy, by bringing in a professional basketball game where all the tickets are just five bucks.”

“The Meadville High School Athletic Department is honored that the BayHawks organization has chosen Meadville High School to host this first ever event,” said Meadville High School athletic director Greg Williams. “The “House of Thrills” has seen some great teams and players over the last 50 years, but this will be the first time it has played host to professional athletes. I would expect that the ability to watch NBA caliber athletes at a fraction of the cost, combined with the fact that a portion of the proceeds will go to a local cause, will result in a great turnout.”

All tickets for the November 20 game are just five dollars (children 3 and under are free) and can be purchased exclusively at the Meadville Area Senior High School office or at the BayHawks office (110 East 8th Street in Erie) starting Wednesday, October 28 during regular school and business hours.

The game is receiving support from several local companies including: PNC Bank, Dad’s Pet Care, Country Fair, Days Inn Hotel and Conference Center, Hagan Business Machines and KFC.

A full team autograph session will follow the conclusion of the game, with a selection of official BayHawks merchandise available for purchase throughout the night. BayHawks players also plan to make appearances at Meadville area schools in the weeks prior to the game.

The BayHawks first regular season home game is set for December 12. Tickets for Opening Night and all of the 2009/10 season go on sale to the general public Saturday, October 31, at the Tullio Arena box office, starting at 10 AM. Fans can save money with a customized ticket package designed to fit your needs and price range by contacting the BayHawks ticket office at 790-5600 or by visiting ErieBayHawks.com.

NBA Development League

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league and featured 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams during the 2008-09 season. This Fall, two new NBA D-League teams will begin play in Portland, Maine and Springfield, Mass.-- the birthplace of basketball. Eighty-four former NBA Development League players were on 2008-09 NBA end-of-season rosters, amounting to almost 20 percent of NBA players, and the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.