‘Big 4’ to return for more in Des Moines

There is some good news for fans of the Iowa men’s basketball team in the Des Moines area and fans of each of the “Big 4” teams for that matter.

Athletics directors at Iowa, Iowa State, Drake, and Northern Iowa, along with the leadership of the Iowa Events Center and the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, announced on Monday that the Hy-Vee Classic has been extended through 2019.

The Hy-Vee Classic, which had been called the Hy-Vee Big 4 Classic since its inception in 2012, will host all four schools in games in the Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines on Dec. 17.

“As a longtime supporter of Iowa college athletics, we’re happy to be extending this relationship to bring the state’s big-four basketball teams to center stage in Des Moines,” said Hy-Vee Chairman, CEO, and President Randy Edeker in a release. “The Hy-Vee Classic is a great way for fans to collectively come together to show their team spirit and cheer on our student athletes.”

In the 2016 version of the Classic, the Hawkeyes will face off against UNI, and Iowa State will play against hometown Drake.

Every school involved will have the same number of tickets to sell to the event, which went on sale on Tuesday. Purchasing one ticket is good for admission to both games.

“We appreciate the continued support of Hy-Vee and are excited that this event has been extended two more years,” said Iowa AD Gary Barta in the release. “This is a great event that celebrates college basketball in the state of Iowa.”

— by Blake Dowson