Carolina Wings Holds UNCW Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon

On Oct. 17, Carolina Wings Management, LLC hosted a tip-off luncheon to kick off the University of North Carolina at Wilmington basketball season.

The tip-off luncheon, which included all-you-can-eat wings, started at 11:30 a.m., followed by a “meet the coaches” session at noon. During the session, attendees got the opportunity to meet and listen to third-year men’s head coach Kevin Keatts and fifth-year women’s skipper Adell Harris. Keatts is the first coach in the history of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) to win Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons.

“We have been doing the coaches show for many years, and it has grown since,” said Larry Alderson, franchisee with Carolina Wings. “We started the tip-off luncheon maybe five years ago as a way to start the basketball season and introduce the team and coaches to the alumni and sponsors.”

Alderson noted that this year they added an extra incentive to get people through the door – each attendee was given a card for a free lunch if they attend at least five of the coaches’ shows.

During the event, the coaches would present each player’s particular strengths, upcoming games and prospects for the season. The coaches also opened the floor for a Q&A session.

Mike Vaccaro, UNCW’s play-by-play voice, was the emcee for the event. Tickets were $20 and included the buffet, drink, tax and tip.