ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Southern Conference held its annual Basketball Tip-Off event in Asheville on Tuesday. All 18 SoCon men’s and women’s basketball coaches participated in the day’s events, which included meetings, a service project and a private reception in Asheville.

The league’s men’s and women’s coaches opened their afternoon with their annual meetings, held at the U.S. Cellular Center, site of the SoCon Basketball Championships presented by General Shale. The tournaments will take place there March 2-6, 2017.

The coaches then took part in a service project at the Eblen Charities headquarters in town, sorting donated food for distribution to children in need.

The day wrapped with a reception that included the coaches, media and local dignitaries and members of the local organizing committee.

The 2016-17 basketball seasons open for both the men and the women on Nov. 11.