The 2022 Great Lakes Invitational will take place near the site of the first collegiate basketball game played in the state of Indiana. Wabash College will serve as the event host site when the tournament takes place November 18-19.
 
The Invitational is the creation of Ryan Whitnable, host of the This Week in Great Lakes Basketball Podcast. The two-day event features eight nationally-prominent programs from the Great Lakes region as well as Division III teams from around the country. Baldwin Wallace University, Benedictine University, Keene State College, Marietta College, Maryville College in Tennessee, the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Trine University, and Wabash College are scheduled to compete at the 2022 Invitational.
 
The games will take place in historic Chadwick Court, home of the 1982 NCAA Division III National Championship Little Giant team which celebrates the 40^th anniversary of that title later this season. Wabash and Purdue University played the first collegiate basketball game in the state of Indiana on February 19, 1897. Wabash defeated Purdue 23-13 in that contest which was played just two blocks away from the College at the old Crawfordsville YMCA gymnasium.
 
"Wabash College and our basketball program are excited to host the 2022 Great Lakes Invitational," Wabash head basketball coach Kyle Brumett said.  "It has become the premier Division III tournament in the region.  It not only brings together great basketball programs and coaches, but it has regularly featured some of the best talent at our level.  We are proud of where our program is and look forward to continuing to compete against the best in DIII.  Playing this invitational at Chadwick Court, and in Indiana allows our community, alumni, and fans to showcase our love for Wabash athletics and basketball in the state of Indiana."
 
The first four games are scheduled to take place on Friday, November 18 with four games set for Saturday, November 19. A complete schedule along with ticket and broadcast information will be released at a later date.
 
What participating coaches say about the Great Lakes Invitational:
 
Thomas Heil, head coach
Baldwin Wallace University
"We are honored and excited to be a part of the 2022 Great Lakes Invitational. We look forward to competing alongside some great programs from the Great Lakes Region and competing against some of the best programs from outside our region."
 
Keith Bunkenburg, head coach
Benedictine University
"We are excited to be a part of this great event for the 22-23 season.  The Great Lakes Invitational has attracted some of the best Division III teams in the country and given the student-athletes a great experience.  Our program has always tried to play a tough schedule and to compete against the best, and this checks that box."    
 
Ryan Cain, head coach
Keene State College
"We couldn't be more excited to return to the GLI for a second time as we believe this event is one of the premier events in Division III basketball and consistently features top teams from across the country. Our program embraces the special opportunity to play some of the best teams from the Great Lakes region. We are also excited to watch some of the best teams from across the nation compete against one another. I am very appreciative of the invite and look forward to this great event."
 
John VanderWal, head coach
Marietta College
"After hosting the Great Lakes Invitational twice, we have a great appreciation for this event. The GLI has become one of the premier DIII tournaments in the country and we are extremely excited to participate again next year. Wabash will be a great host site and we look forward to competing against the top-notch teams that have been assembled.    
 
Raul Placeres, head coach
Maryville College
"It's a tournament that gives every program amazing visibility. People watch and tune in to this tournament.  It helps our sport to have this level of an event at this time of the year. We are appreciative of the invitation and excited about showcasing our program versus some really good teams."
 
Rusty Loyd, head coach
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
"The Great Lakes Invitational has become the marquee event at the Division III level in showcasing the best basketball talent the region has to offer.  At Rose-Hulman, we are excited to be invited to participate in the 2022 Invite and look forward to competing at the highest level with some of the best teams, players, and coaches in the country.  Having played at and against Wabash on many occasions, I know they will be an incredible host for the event, and I look forward to seeing and competing against the other teams that are participating."
 
Brooks Miller, head coach
Trine University
"We are honored to be competing in the 2022 Great Lakes Invitational with so many other fantastic programs. Special thanks to Ryan Whitnable for making an event like this possible and to Wabash College for hosting."