By Lauren Ratcliffe
lratcliffe@scbiznews.com
Published July 26, 2012

Morale Entertainment Foundation will host the Carrier Classic on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point.

Mac Burdette, executive director of Patriots Point, said there is no official price tag on the contract yet because Morale can still add or subtract rental spaces as needed.

If Morale’s festivities interrupt public access to the museum or other spaces onboard the ship, the contract stipulates that a fee will be imposed.

The Carrier Classic began last year when men’s basketball teams from Michigan State and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill played the first-ever collegiate basketball game on an aircraft carrier. The game was meant to honor troops.

This year’s games will take place Nov. 9; the women’s game will feature Ohio State and Notre Dame while the men’s will feature Ohio State and Marquette.

“Our assumption is that this will be carried on national television,” said Ashley Smith, spokeswoman for Patriots Point. “We’re hoping it will be in the ballpark of $1 million in value.”

Beneficiaries from the event will be the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Museum, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Last year’s event contributed about $500,000 to its beneficiaries.

Morale Entertainment Foundation provides talent interested in participating in events for the military.