Teams practice on Thursday for 'Carrier Classic' (WCIV)By Valencia Wicker
vwicker@abcnews4.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) -- The stadium can be seen from miles away. Its massiveness is turning the heads of tourists from near and far.
"It's odd," said Audie Gardner. "Never seen nothing like this before."
The towering high basketball court is now settled in the Mount Pleasant wind atop of the USS Yorktown.
"When I saw the bleachers I went ‘whoa, that's serious, serious stuff'," said Carol Doyle, a woman visiting the Yorktown from out of state with her two friends.
While the Home Run Derby hit the flight deck earlier this year, The Carrier Classic is the only full-fledged sporting event to ever grace the ship known as the 'Fighting Lady.'
"I think it's a good thing. It shows patriotism and so forth. Basketball and the jets on deck, I think it's really a neat venue," said James Brown from Dayton, Ohio.
The Gardner's have an exceptionally special view.
"My son plays on the Marquette team," said Audie.
For them, the sight shows just how fortunate their son is.
"Its a blessing," said Sheila Gardner. "To get an education plus play ball. It's the game he loves. We're all excited for him."
The Carrier Classic will be held Friday starting at 4 p.m. Proceeds from the game go to veteran non-profit organizations.
