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The Classic at Tennessee High School is an annual high school basketball tournament held in December at Tennessee High School in Viking Hall, in Bristol, Tennessee. [1]
During the 1982 basketball season, the Tennessee High Vikings traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to play in the King of Bluegrass Tournament. After returning to Bristol, Coach Dale Burns discussed with then Athletic Director Bill Bingham the possibility of having a similar tournament to take advantage of Tennessee High's tremendous facility, Viking Hall.
The original goals were to (1) promote basketball in the region, and (2) to expose the fans to outstanding players and teams in the country. The Classic at Tennessee High School has accomplished those goals and more. [1] It has not only been a boost to basketball in Bristol and the region, it has been a boost to the area financially. Exciting teams and individual players resulting in packed houses have made the Classic one of the top high school basketball tournaments in the country. This is a tribute to Coach Dale Burn's astute selection of talented teams.
The tournament has formerly been named the Mountain Empire Classic and the Arby's Classic. [2] On July 23rd 2024, Bristol Tennessee City Schools announced its intentions to rename the longstanding high school basketball event, after failing to reach an agreement with former title sponsor, AES Restaurant Group. [3]
At the 41st annual Classic tournament, Viking Hall unveiled several upgrades to enhance the fan experience. The venue added new video boards featuring interactive elements like fan cam, smile cam, dance cam, air guitar cam, and mustache cam. To go along with the updated technology, a variety of food vendors were also introduced in a food court area. These changes were designed to create a more engaging and entertaining atmosphere for fans while continuing the tradition of hosting some of the nation’s top high school basketball talent. [4]
The Classic at Tennessee High School has grown into one of the nation’s most respected high school basketball tournaments, showcasing elite teams, future college stars, and unforgettable matchups for more than four decades. Fans from across the country travel to Bristol each year to be part of this holiday tradition, filling Viking Hall with the energy and excitement that only The Classic can deliver. [1]