Feb. 27, 2002

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - March Madness is here and Kemper Arena, the American Royal Center and Municipal Auditorium are preparing for the 2002 Big 12 Basketball Tournaments. The following information will assist fans preparing to attend tournament games at both locations:
* A higher level of security will be maintained at all facilities for this year's tournaments so please arrive early. In order to provide a safe environment for all patrons, the following restrictions will apply:
* No backpacks and no large items will be allowed into the facilities. All items and presons are subject to search.
* No food, drink, posters, banners video or professional cameras, laser pointers, amplifiers, air horns, bangers, nor artificial noisemakers will be allowed into the facilities.
* Everyone, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter Kemper Arena or Municipal Auditorium and no pass-outs will be permitted.
* No curbside parking will be allowed.

The Men's Tournament is sold out, so allow plenty of time to park and enter the arena. The parking fee in city owned parking lots and in the new West Bottoms Garage will be $15.00 with no in/out privileges.

The Kemper Arena and Municipal Auditorium Arena doors open 1 1/2 hours prior to the first session of each day. Both arenas will be cleared between each session shown below. Fan Fest is open to the public and located inside the American Royal Building for the Men's Tournament and at Barney Allis Plaza for the Women's Tournament. The schedule for both is shown below.

Tickets are still available for the Women's Tournament only and can be purchased at the door or through Ticketmaster at 816- 931-3330 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Full Tournament Ticket
$60 Reserved Seat or $30 General Admission

Single Game Tickets
$10 Reserved Seat or $5 General Admission

Parking fees in the Auditorium Plaza Garage will be $7.00 for 6 to 24 hours with no in/out privileges.

Men's Game Times (Kemper Arena):

Wednesday, March 6th
Practice - Open to the public 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 7th
Doors - 10:30 a.m.
Session 1, Games 1 & 2 12:00 p.m.
Session 2, Games 3 & 4 6:00 p.m.

Friday, March 8th
Doors - 10:30 a.m.
Session 3, Games 5 & 6 12:00 p.m.
Session 4, Games 7 & 8 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 9th
Doors - 11:30 a.m.
Session 5, Games 9 & 10 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 10th
Doors - 12:30 p.m.
Championship Game 2:00 p.m.

Fan Fest Hours For Men's Tournament (American Royal Building- South of Kemper Arena):

Thursday, March 7th 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 8th 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 9th 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 10th 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Women's Game Times (Municipal Auditorium Arena):

Tuesday, March 5th
Doors - 10:30 a.m.
Session 1, Games 1 & 2 12:00 p.m.
Session 2, Games 3 & 4 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 6th
Doors - 10:30 a.m.
Session 3, Games 5 & 6 12:00 p.m.
Session 4, Games 7 & 8 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 7th
Doors - 4:30 p.m.
Session 5, Games 9 & 10 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 9th
Doors - 4:30 p.m.
Championship Game 6:00 p.m.

Fan Fest Hours For Women's Tournament (Barney Allis Plaza -In Tent North of Municipal):

Thursday, March 7th 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 9th 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Race participants only)
Saturday, March 9th 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.