LONDON, ON – Today, Western Sports & Recreation and Brescia University College are pleased to announce that Canada's only women's university will become the title sponsor of the 2023 Purple and White Invitational, one of the most prestigious women's high school basketball tournaments in the province.

The three-day tournament, hosted by the Western Mustangs Women's Basketball team, starts Friday, September 15 with the final happening on Championship Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Alumni Hall. This new partnership will provide Brescia with the opportunity to engage with future leaders who are serious about school and sport. The all-women's Western affiliate, whose students are consistently represented across varsity teams, will host tours throughout the weekend, as a way of increasing awareness around the campus's high-quality undergraduate experiences.

"Brescia is a student-centred institution committed to raising up women with the competence and courage to lead. We are committed to academic excellence and work to create a supportive atmosphere that provides our students with the resources they need to succeed. Brescia is excited to welcome women from across the province to London for this basketball tournament." said Dr. Lauretta Frederking, Brescia University College President. "Brescia understands the important role our student athletes play in our communities, and we are proud to deepen our support of the Western Mustangs and Coach Nate McKibbon through sponsorship and by fully nurturing the potential of Western's current and future athletes."

"The Western Mustangs are pleased to host the Purple and White Invitational as a development and showcase opportunity for prospective women's basketball student athletes. This tournament is an annual celebration of women's basketball players across the province. said Nate McKibbon, Western Mustangs Women's Basketball Head Coach. "Brescia's support will help to provide the additional resources needed to deliver the elevated tournament experience our visiting participants deserve."

"This tournament is one of the ways our Western Mustangs are demonstrating our commitment to the continued growth of women's basketball and the increase of equitable opportunities for women competing across all sports." said Christine Stapleton, Director, Sports & Recreation, Western University. "Brescia shares our commitment to elevating women in sport, and together we will support more women in their pursuit of playing basketball for the Western Mustangs and attending our university."

About Brescia at Western University:
Brescia at Western is Canada's only women-centric university. Since 1919, Brescia has provided unique educational, professional and leadership supports to women with the desire to positively influence the world. Through its affiliation with Western, Brescia is proud to graduate alumnae with Western University degrees who simultaneously benefit from the enhanced safety and personalization of Brescia's tight-knit campus and holistic supports.

About the Western Mustangs:
The Western Mustangs create communities of belonging where all Mustangs thrive. Western Sports & Recreation offers a variety of programming available to help our students stay active and involved while studying at Western. Our 46 varsity teams and clubs focus on diversity, inclusion, spirit and a winning tradition. We offer a transformational student athlete experience, supporting students who are balancing academics with the sport(s) they love.

About the Purple and White Invitational:
The three-day tournament, hosted by the Western Mustangs Women's Basketball team, and sponsored by Brescia at Western, starts Friday, September 16, 2023 with the Final happening on Championship Sunday, September 18, 2023 at Alumni Hall on the Western University campus. The tournament is almost at capacity. Very limited team spaces are available. For more information or to register email Nate McKibbon, Western Mustangs Head Coach, Women's Basketball at nmckibb@uwo.ca