NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's and women's basketball programs are set to host the 2025 Ed Hockenbury Classic this weekend, welcoming six visiting teams to Andrews Hall for the 28th edition of the tournament.

The annual three-day event will run from Friday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 7, and features eight games across both brackets.

The Hockenbury Classic honors the late Ed Hockenbury, the former Norwich men's basketball head coach and 2003 Norwich University Athletic Hall of Fame inductee who guided the Cadets for 16 seasons.  A native of Philadelphia and a three-sport athlete at Boston College, Hockenbury left a profound mark on the Norwich community before passing away in 1996 following a two-year battle with brain cancer.  His vision and leadership helped elevate the Cadets on the court and in stature, transforming the program into a postseason mainstay and two-time NCAA Tournament qualifier under his tutelage.

Now in its 28th year, the Classic continues to serve as one of the premier early-season basketball tournaments in the Northeast.  Its roots trace back to the 1980-81 season, when Norwich hosted the "Tip-Off Tournament," the first collegiate basketball tournament ever held in central Vermont.  That inaugural event marked the opening of the University's Health, Physical Education, and Sports Center, which would become known as Andrews Hall.

The men's Hockenbury Classic officially began in 1997-98, with the Norwich men capturing the inaugural crown over Fitchburg State University.  The women's tournament was added in 2003-04, and the Cadets claimed the first four titles.

This year's field once again showcases a diverse mix of institutions from across the region.  In the women's bracket, Norwich will open play on Friday evening with a 5:00 p.m. contest against intrastate foe Vermont State University Randolph, marking VTSU Randolph's first return to the tournament since 2014.  At 7:00 p.m., New England College and the University of Maine at Fort Kent will square off to close the night.  The Pilgrims will be making their Hockenbury Classic debut, while Maine-Fort Kent returns for the first time since 2023.

Saturday's women's slate will feature the consolation game at 1:00 p.m., followed by the championship at 3:00 p.m.  Championship and runner-up trophies, as well as All-Classic Team recognitions, will be presented following the conclusion of the title game.

The men's tournament will begin Saturday evening, with Norwich hosting the University of Maine at Fort Kent at 6:00 p.m.  Maine-Fort Kent is also making its first return since the 2023 edition.  The 8:00 p.m. matchup will feature a pair of first-time Classic participants, as Western New England University takes on Eastern Connecticut State University.

Sunday will bring the men's tournament to a close, with the consolation game scheduled for 1:00 p.m., followed by the championship game at 3:00 p.m.  Championship and runner-up trophies, as well as All-Classic Team awards, will be presented at the conclusion of Sunday's action.

The Norwich women's team enters the tournament with a 3-3 record after a hard-fought 75-67 road loss at Utica University on Tuesday, Nov. 25.  The Cadets mounted a late rally, led by a career-high 14 points from sophomore Lily Briggs (Fair Haven, Vt.), who added four rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block.  Maggi Ellsworth (West Topsham, Vt.) and Cassidy Kittredge (Waterford, Vt.) also reached double figures off the bench in a game that saw Norwich outscore Utica from the floor and tally 53 bench points.

The men's team stands at 2-5 after a competitive 67-61 setback to Skidmore College on Monday, Dec. 1, inside Andrews Hall.  Three Cadets reached double figures, with Michel Ndayishimiye (Colchester, Vt.), Jordan Ricketts (Stratford, Conn.), and Niklas Nordberg (Fairfield, Pa.) each scoring 12 points.  Ndayishimiye grabbed a team-best seven rebounds, Ricketts notched five steals, and Nordberg hit three from beyond the arc in a gritty post-Thanksgiving performance.

All eight games of the 2025 Ed Hockenbury Classic will be livestreamed for free.  Live stats will also be available for all contests, with separate stat links for the men's and women's tournaments.  Admission is free to all games throughout the weekend, and a digital program will be available online.

With history, community, and competition woven into every possession, the 2025 Ed Hockenbury Classic promises another memorable chapter in honor of a coach whose legacy still shapes the hardwood at Andrews Hall.