USS Carl Vinson - Carrier Classic

Photo credit: SI.com

What do you get when you cross an aircraft carrier and a hardwood basketball court? You get the 2011 Quicken Loans Carrier Classic of course. What better way to pay tribute and say thank you to all service men and women who've fought or are still fighting to preserve our country's freedom, especially on a unique Veterans Day of six consecutive 1's.

If you missed it, the scene was awe-inspiring. How in the world was a hardwood basketball court put on a flight deck of an aircraft carrier? Check out this edited time lapse video of the construction process.

Fighter jet replacements and NCAA preseason openers, No. 1-ranked  North Carolina Tar Heels and Big Ten Michigan State Spartans took center deck in the inaugural Carrier Classic aboard the USS Carl Vinson, U.S. Naval Air Station in Coronado, California. The USS Carl Vinson was the last place Osama Bin Laden's body was before he was buried at sea.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle were the VIP guests for this commemorative event. They touched ground via Air Force One in hopes to only see One Forced Error (get it?). That would not be. The game was sloppy and the floor was slippery but the view was simply amazing. Even the players looked the part, sporting really cool military digital camo uniforms w/ matching shoes. Nice!
Condensation from the spectating sea and hovering grey clouds caused for sweat (or wet in this case) moppers to work in high gear. The floor decals were to blame by the commentators. You have to hold Mother Nature accountable for some of the slipperiness, especially when playing on a naval ship whose road is the North Pacific. Maybe the second annual Carrier Classic will be held alongside the Hawaiian shorelines where the only wet hazard is a spilled Mai Tai.

Photo credit: SI.com

Laker legends Magic and Worthy served as honorary captains representing their respective Alma maters. Magic recently donated $1-million to the MSU East Lansing athletic department and The James Worthy Foundation is active in providing support to veterans and their families who have made so many sacrifices for us.

So which team took the inaugural Carrier Classic trophy? UNC topped MSU, 67-55.

More on the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier.
Photos of the Carrier Classic 
The Magic Johnson Foundation
Sources: Bleacher Report.com and SI.com