The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Tip time announced for Men's Basketball's opener against Duke
09.03.2025 | Men's Basketball
Matchup set for 7:45 p.m. CT (8:45 p.m. ET) on ESPN in Charlotte's Spectrum Center.
(CHARLOTTE, NC) — (Sept. 3, 2025) The Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF) announced today that Belk will serve as the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational, set for Nov. 4 at 8:45 p.m. ET (7:45 p.m. CT) at the Spectrum Center and on ESPN. The event brings a new high-profile basketball experience to Charlotte, honoring the legendary broadcaster and champion of the sport.
With headquarters just down the road, Belk has a reputation of rallying around the moments that bring Charlotte together, and the Dick Vitale Invitational is no exception. This inaugural event will feature a can't-miss showdown between college basketball powerhouses Texas and Duke, with game-night experiences that pay tribute to Vitale's legendary voice as well as his remarkable philanthropic work off the court.
"Belk is proud to continue supporting Charlotte's vibrant sports community through events like the Dick Vitale Invitational," said Don Hendricks, CEO at Belk. "This inaugural event embodies the passion and talent of college basketball, while honoring the spirit and sportsmanship Dick Vitale represents. We're thrilled to be part of an experience that unites fans and brings our community together."
"Belk has been a pillar of the Charlotte community for more than 135 years, including supporting the Charlotte Sports Foundation's efforts in providing unparalleled events across the city," said Will Pitts, CEO of CSF. "As the presenting sponsor of the new Dick Vitale Invitational, Belk will help us deliver something extraordinary, uniting fans through basketball, celebrating our community and creating moments people will never forget."
"With Belk coming on as the presenting sponsor of the Dick Vitale Invitational, the stage is set for a wonderful evening honoring a living legend of college basketball." said Clint Overby, VP of Events at ESPN. "We appreciate Belk's support as well as the relationship they have with the Charlotte Sports Foundation."
The announcement reinforces what many in the Queen City already know: Belk is all in on Charlotte sports. From the gridiron to the hardwood, Belk continues to back CSF's biggest moments. In addition to the Dick Vitale Invitational, Belk also supports the Duke's Mayo Classic (Aug. 29), Ally Tipoff (returning Nov. 9), the Charlotte Invitational (returning Dec. 4) and the Duke's Mayo Bowl (returning Jan. 2, 2026).
Tickets for The Dick Vitale Invitational presented by Belk are on pre-sale at this link.
About Charlotte Sports Foundation
The mission of the Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF), a 501(c)(3), is to provide leadership for sports-based initiatives that result in a positive impact on the economy and quality of life in the Charlotte region. CSF was created in the spring of 2013 as a combined entity of Charlotte's two primary sports development groups, Charlotte Collegiate Football and the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission. Its origins can be traced to the vision of Charlotte civic leaders after the very successful hosting of the 1994 NCAA Men's Final Four.
The Foundation also provides support for recruitment and operation of other local sporting events, and spearheads Charlotte's continued growth as a preferred host for premier national and regional sporting events, including college basketball's Ally Tipoff and Dick Vitale Invitational, college football's Duke's Mayo Bowl, ACC Football Championship Game and Duke's Mayo Classic, The Charlotte Invitational, the 2026 MLS All Star Game and the Meck Mile presented by Albemarle.
The Board of Directors that guides the Charlotte Sports Foundation boasts a dynamic roster of top Charlotte civic and business leaders. Please visit www.CharlotteSports.org for more information.
About Belk
Charlotte-based Belk, Inc., a privately-owned department store, opened its first store in 1888, beginning a legacy of selling great products at great prices, treating customers like family and giving back to the community. Today, Belk serves customers at nearly 300 Belk and Belk Outlet locations across 16 Southeastern states and digitally through belk.com and the Belk mobile app. For over 135 years, Belk has proudly put customers and community at the center of what they do, supporting local charities, organizations, and families when they need it most. For more information, visit newsroom.belk.com.
To shop, find your local store at belk.com/stores, visit belk.com or download the Belk app in Google Play or Apple Store.
About ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In the 2025-26 academic year, the 35-event schedule includes three early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events, two college volleyball events, the premiere regular season college softball and gymnastics events, as well as the Band of the Year National Championship. Collectively, these events account for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, reaching 60 million viewers and attracting more than 650,000 annual attendees. Each year, the portfolio of events features more than 20 Division I conferences and hosts over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.