MBA to Host Eastern Conference Finals in Charlotte, North Carolina

Military Basketball Association Eastern Finalists to Compete April 11-13 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 25, 2025 – Military Basketball Association (MBA) is proud to announce that it will host its 2025 Eastern Conference Finals in Charlotte, North Carolina April 11-13 for suicide prevention. This is the first time MBA will host an event in the state of North Carolina. The MBA Eastern Conference Finals will take place at Queens University of Charlotte, kicking off the 2025 MBA Playoffs. Top qualifying teams will earn the right to compete in the 2025 MBA Finals Tournament this spring. The Eastern Conference Finals will consist of 12-16 volunteer varsity programs from military installations in the eastern region of the United States. Teams will compete from cities including Tampa, Florida; Columbus, Georgia; St. Louis, Missouri; Albany, Georgia; Augusta, Georgia; Petersburg, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; Fort Walton Beach, Florida; Coco Beach, Florida; Clarksville, Tennessee; and Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

“We are excited to bring military basketball to Charlotte! This is such a great opportunity for our military athletes to display their talents and abilities on a grand scale. We are grateful to Queens University and its Athletic Department for opening their institution to us for a resilience event that will impact thousands. This event will bring attention to the mental health fitness of military and veterans while raising awareness for suicide prevention,” said Mike Meyers, MBA commissioner.

Meyers founded Military Basketball Association to prevent suicide, fight the stigma of mental health and provide an outlet for the trauma associated with military service. A year-round tournament league, MBA supports nearly 1,000 players, both veteran and active-duty military, on more than 50 teams across the United States, Europe and Asia.

“Charlotte is honored to host the 2025 MBA Eastern Conference Finals and welcome these incredible military athletes to our city. This event not only showcases top-tier competition but also highlights mental health fitness of our servicemen and women. We look forward to welcoming athletes, families, and fans to experience the best of Charlotte while supporting this impactful tournament,” said Scott McLaughlin, director of sports development for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA).

“We are looking forward to being part of history as the host of the MBA Eastern Conference Finals. The excitement around this event coming to Charlotte for the first time is evident and our staff at Queens will help ensure that the experience for everyone in attendance will be nothing short of amazing. We are truly honored for the opportunity to host an event for military athletes in support of raising awareness for mental health fitness and suicide prevention,” said Cherie Swarthout, director of athletics at Queens University of Charlotte.

The Salisbury VA Health Care System will provide services at the event.

“The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proud to partner with MBA at the Eastern Conference Finals in Charlotte, connecting Veterans and service members with essential VA health care and benefit services,” said Kevin P. Amick, executive director of the Salisbury VA Health Care System. “Whether they choose care at our two VA outpatient facilities in the Queen City, or with our care partners out in the community, we are committed to ensuring Veterans maintain access to the health care and benefits they have earned through their dedicated service to our nation.”

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About MBA
Military Basketball Association (MBA) prevents veteran suicide by utilizing sports to reestablish the camaraderie soldiers experienced while serving, bridging the loneliness and lack of community that can spawn thoughts of self-harm, and showcasing the military athlete to bring awareness to post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) and the invisible wounds associated with military service. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017, MBA supports players on varsity-level teams around the world. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About the CRVA
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) is an independent authority responsible for promoting hospitality, tourism, events and conventions throughout the Charlotte region. An arm of the City of Charlotte, the CRVA works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of visitors and residents. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Spectrum Center, Bojangles’ Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Regional Film Commission and Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand.

Media Contacts: 
Military Basketball Association: Melissa Garcia, communicationsdirector@mymbaglobal.com, 720-618-7089
Queens University of Charlotte: Phylicia Short, shortp@queens.edu, 336-508-3157
Salisbury VA Health Care System: Kevin Stapleton, kevin.stapleton@va.gov, 980-401-0247