The Quicken Loans Carrier Classic took place on Veterans Day 11-11-11 aboard the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier in San Diego. This inaugural event featured UNC vs Michigan State in an E$SPN televised LIVE nationwide event to honor our troops.

1. Quicken Loans
Carrier Classic
11-11-11
Sponsored by:

2. Early renderings showing what a basketball court on an
aircraft carrier might look when finally constructed

3. A stadium was envisioned with 7,000+ seats for Military
personnel, school supporters, media, etc.

4. This is what was
ultimately constructed
which was extremely close
to the original vision

5. A variety of construction cranes were required to lift the thousands of tons of
material from the pier to the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson including
refrigeration for the Hospitality Tent and Musco Sports Lighting

6. A stairway was built on one of the ship’s elevators to allow lucky ticket
holders to climb to their seats on the flight deck. Production trailers
were hoisted aboard and hospitality tents constructed.

7. Hundreds of production staff
and volunteers set out to
construct the stadium to get
ready for the first ever Veterans
Day NCAA Basketball Game on
the flight deck of an active
aircraft carrier.

8. ESPN Sports Center Turntable is constructed at one corner
of the court. Carrier Classic Program. ESPN HD and 3D
satellite transmission trucks arrive on site.

9. The actual court arrived on pallets in 280 sections assembled like a
jigsaw puzzle. Foam is laid down first and then section by section of
hardwood is connected together creating a perfect court.

10. This American Airlines Yellow Ribbon 737
aircraft, honoring our troops, is one of the
charter planes used to transport the teams
from their home State to San Diego. At left is a
water cannon send off for the UNC basketball
team as they depart Raleigh Durham.

11. The teams arrive in San Diego and immediately come to the Naval Base to see the completed
court and stadium on the flight deck. Practicing multi-branch presentation of colors.

12. The teams posed for pictures at half
court and practiced some shots to get
used to the outdoor arena. Special
uniforms were created with camouflage
patterns and the only name on the back
of all jerseys was “USA.”

13. Both team’s Athletic Directors , Head
Basketball Coaches, the Navy and
Morale Entertainment were beaming
that this event had finally materialized
after many years. Jack Arute broadcast
his Sirius XM Satellite show from the
flight deck for several days.

14. As the Title Sponsor, Quicken Loans
was prominently displayed
throughout the event, on the pier
and on the flight deck.

15. Branding of the
“Carrier Classic”
was widely
marketed for
various purposes.

16. Virtually all
4.5 acres of the
massive flight
deck were used
to stage this
event.

17. The USS Carl Vinson was docked at the North Island Annex of the Naval Air Station, Coronado,
California directly across from San Diego. Private vessels sailed by with American Flags flying and
a floating security perimeter was set out with vessels patrolling the waters around the carrier.

18. Sixty six special seats (Section 700) were set up at
court side for the President and First Lady, Wounded
Warriors, Active Service Military, Veterans and other
personnel from all branches of the Military.

19. The basketball hoops were rolled into position, scoring
systems checked, ESPN cameras mounted, scorekeeper and
officials tables positioned plus seating for the White House
Press Corp and the national media.

20. Two giant Jumbotrons were hoisted into position. These allowed everyone to have a view of the
game score and to view special videos that had been uniquely created for the
Quicken Loans Carrier Classic.

21. A dinner was hosted on Thursday evening at the San Diego Air and
Space Museum by Mark Larson for both teams, their boosters, the
Secretary of the Navy, Military personnel and special guests.

22. Jay Farner,
President of
Quicken Loans
(above) being
interviewed by a
Los Angeles Times
reporter.

23. USS Carl Vinson’s crew was
thrilled to be the host for this
one of a kind sports event. They
proudly displayed their souvenirs
for sale which helped raise
money for Morale Welfare and
Entertainment for all sailors.

24. As the crowds boarded the
flight deck, the excitement
started to rise. Westwood
One interviews Magic
Johnson. Col Ed Shock with
Mario Lopez who was filming
an episode of EXTRA.

25. The national media was extremely interested in gaining access to
this unique Veterans Day opportunity. Here in the Press Tent, the
first formal Press Conference kicks off.

26. Athletic Directors, Head Coaches, Admiral Denny
Moynihan, USS Carl Vinson Captain Bruce Lindsey
and Head of Morale Entertainment Mike Whalen,
express their heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity
to participate in this amazing game.

27. Future Naval Sailors were proud to have the opportunity to attend this
unique game with the President and Secretary of the Navy in attendance

28. James Worthy was the
Honorary Captain for the
University of North Carolina.
Here the Chapel Hill radio
station interviewed James
prior to tip off.

29. This unique trophy
would be presented
to the winning
team. Here it is
being transported
carefully from the
pier to the
flight deck.

30. Game balls being delivered
to the flight deck. James
Worthy was asked to sign
numerous autographs.

31. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus inspects the flight deck and stadium, meets the troops and is
interviewed on a radio network also feeding Armed Forces Network globally

32. USS Carl Vinson top
Officers describe
for Secretary
Mabus every
aspect of how the
day’s events will
unfold

33. Ray Mabus and Jay Farner talk about what this means to
the country and how the Quicken Loans Carrier Classic
may begin to shift how Veterans Day is viewed

34. Mike Whalen and Morale
Staff developed a close
working relationship with
White House personnel and
the Secret Service as plans
progressed for the
President’s visit on
Veterans Day 11-11-11

36. The stage is set, James Worthy signing autographs
for the sailors and the teams arrive on the court

37. A Navy Rock and
Roll Band
entertained the
crowds as they
arrived on the
flight deck.

38. The President would have
an extremely busy day,
starting in Washington, DC,
traveling across the country
for the Carrier Classic and
finally traveling to Hawaii.

39. Air Force One lands at the Naval Air Station after a
low level approach over San Diego Harbor

40. The red carpet is rolled out and Navy
personnel take their positions to greet
the President and First Lady

41. Barack and Michelle Obama first visited
the teams together to give them a
Presidential pep talk. Then, right on
schedule, they enter the stadium at the
beginning of the ESPN broadcast.

42. Saluting the official welcome party.

43. The President greeted
numerous troops to lift their
spirits on Veterans Day

44. The Navy Band played “Hail to the Chief” and many other
Military songs throughout the game.

45. During the National Anthem

46. B Taylor was formerly in the Navy and
later became a Hip Hop artist. He sang
the National Anthem a cappella.

47. B Taylor is ecstatic to have been selected to sing the National Anthem on this
Veterans Day during the Centennial of Naval Aviation.

48. The ship prepared all the appropriate flags for this
Presidential visit. This Section 700 check-in table was for
the special guests selected to sit with the President.
Barack Obama speaks to the nation on Veterans Day.

49. Ball presentation includes Michigan State Honorary Captain Magic Johnson, Wounded Warrior
and former Morale Entertainment Tour Participant Ryan Kules, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus,
Quicken Loans President Jay Farner and UNC Honorary Captain James Worthy

50. Medal of Honor Recipient John Baca was honored to be in attendance.
He inspired many people at the game who had the chance to meet him
personally. He was selected by the White House to be seated next to
President Obama for the entire game.

51. Magic Johnson and his trademark
laugh and smile. Colors are
presented. The President loved
being back at an NCAA basketball
game.

52. Special guest Bob Gilliland, SR-71 Chief Test Pilot
with his son Rob and Briana.

53. Two Hospitality Tents are decorated, catered and
prepared for our VIP’s and sponsors

55. Phenomenal game highlights are captured by the
national media against one of the most unique
backdrops in sporting history.

56. Magic was constantly being interviewed

57. Coach Roy
Williams and
Staff wear
Military style
footwear in
honor of this
game

58. As the sun set over San Diego Harbor and the Carrier Classic, spectacular colors lit up
the night sky. The photo on the following slide captures the magnificence of the
entire breathtaking experience.

60. Several celebrity guests attended this Veterans Day event.
Here Pamela Anderson spends time with the troops who
were thrilled to have a photo taken.

61. The President and First Lady with Wounded
Warrior Rafael Machuca

65. Magic and The President exchanged
some thoughts about the game

67. Admiral Denny Moynihan
has a laugh with Coaches
Tom Izzo and Roy Williams

68. The game gets intense for coaches and avid basketball fans!!!

69. Brooklyn Decker
not only attended
the game, but
also played her
heart out during
the Half Time
Game called by
Dick Vitale

70. The State Farm Half Time Game was a game of “HORSE” changed to spell
“V-I-N-S-O-N” included B Taylor, Brooklyn Decker, James Worthy and volunteer
service members as ball boys

71. Nov. 11, 2011 - During the State Farm half-time show, Michael Tipsord, State Farm Vice
Chairman and COO, awarded $111,120.11 to Scholarships for Military Children.
State Farm sponsored the half-time events and post-game concert at the first Carrier Classic.

72. At the game’s conclusion,
both coaches were
exhilarated by the
opportunity to play in the
fulfillment of a
long held dream.

73. “Thank you Mr. President“ for traveling from Washington, DC to
raise the awareness of this Inaugural Veterans Day Carrier Classic
event for our Nation and to speak to its greater meaning while
lifting the spirits to our troops and Veterans around the world

74. This 85 pound trophy was
uniquely designed and
cast by Newport News
Shipbuilding that also built
the USS Carl Vinson and
many other Naval vessels

75. The trophy is prepped and
carefully rolled into position
in center court

76. It’s time for the trophy presentation. Roy Williams is elated.

77. Team members give their
jerseys away to deserving
troops in the stadium

78. President Obama congratulates winning Coach Roy Williams. The
Coaches give a final interview on the Westwood One Radio Network.
The media cover the trophy presentation.

79. Naval personnel were incredibly happy to
have been given the opportunity to host the
game on the USS Carl Vinson. B Taylor gives
words of encouragement to Billy Currington.

82. The Carrier
Classic was
front page
news
around the
country and
appeared on
hundreds of
web sites.

83. The Carrier Classic was
seen in newspapers around
the world. This article
appeared in the Gulf News
in the Middle East on
November 13th, 2011

84. For more information
Please contact:
+1-949-636-3558
tleeati@aol.com