Hy Vee (Big 4) Classic Ending After 2018

The Hy-Vee Classic, formerly the Big 4 Classic, is coming to an end after 2018. Here's the release from the University of Iowa, who is opting out of the contract:

The University  of Iowa announced on Thursday this will be the final year of The Hy-Vee  Classic in Des Moines. The one-day event started in 2012, featuring the  four Division I men’s basketball programs from the state of Iowa. Each  year, Iowa (Big Ten) and Iowa State (Big 12) rotated playing Drake and  Northern Iowa, members of the Missouri Valley Conference. 

“In our last  agreement we added language that provided each institution an  opportunity to opt out of the remainder of the contract if they reached  22 required games by the conference,” said Gary Barta, University of  Iowa Henry B. and  Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics chair. “The addition of two  conference games is good for our fans, the Big Ten Conference and our  strength of schedule, but unfortunately it created some scheduling  challenges that impacts this event.”

Several  changes have occurred since the creation of The Hy-Vee Classic.  Maryland and Rutgers were added to the Big Ten Conference, and the  Missouri Valley Conference added Valparaiso and Loyola after the  departure of Wichita State and Creighton. In addition to the Big Ten’s  announcement of a 20-game league schedule, the Gavitt Tipoff Games,  featuring the Big Ten versus the Big East was also introduced in 2015.

The Hawkeyes  will make their final appearance in the men’s basketball event against  Northern Iowa on Dec. 15, 2018, at Wells Fargo Arena. Northern Iowa and  Drake are not currently included on future Iowa men’s basketball  schedules. The annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk game between Iowa and Iowa State  will continue as scheduled.  

“We truly  appreciate the support of the fans in central Iowa, the Wells Fargo  Arena staff, and Hy-Vee for their commitment to this event,” added  Barta. “As we have in the past, the Hawkeyes will continue to evaluate  playing in-state schools on a sport-by-sport, case-by-case basis.”

 

Iowa has posted a 6-1 record since the first year of the event in 2012.

WHO TV's Michael Admire tweeted quotes from Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard:

UNI Athletic Director David Harris released this statement:

Drake Athletic Director Brian Harden Tweeted his thoughts:


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