The John Bapst Title IX Invitational, a girls high school basketball tournament celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX, will take place at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine on July 8-9, 2023. The tournament will feature 12 teams from across the state of Maine. In addition to the tournament, John Bapst has partnered with the Special Olympics of Maine to host a unified basketball game on Saturday, July 8th at 12:00 pm.
“We are excited to host this tournament so these athletes can showcase their talent playing the game they love,” said John Bapst Girls Basketball Coach, Marisa Kelley. “We’re hoping this inaugural event is the first of many and that teams will look forward to this summer classic every year.”
The teams competing in the tournament are:
• John Bapst
• Camden Hills
• Ellsworth
• Penobscot Valley
• Foxcroft Academy
• Mount Desert Island
• Spruce Mountain
• Hodgdon
• Caribou
• Skowhegan
• Mattanawcook Academy
• Calais
The tournament will see each team playing two games on Saturday leading up to a single-elimination bracket on Sunday. The tournament champion will be crowned Sunday afternoon, July 9th. Tickets are only available at the door. Kids under 10 get in free, for all others admission will be $8 per day or $12 for a weekend pass.
Title IX, passed in June of 1972, is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Title IX has had a profound impact on girls and women in sports, opening up new opportunities and helping to level the playing field. The John Bapst Title IX Invitational is a celebration of the progress that has been made for girls in sports over the past 50 years. It is also a call to action to continue to fight for equality in sports so all girls have the opportunity to follow their dreams in the sports that they love.
For additional information, contact Coach Marisa Kelley, mkelley@johnbapst.org