Elite Eight (eight remaining tournament players or teams)
“Elite eight” is what the final eight teams or players in a tournament are sometimes called. The term “elite eight” has been used in the Illinois high school boys’ basketball tournament since at least the 1950s; other state tournaments have also used the name “elite eight.”
The “elite eight” name has been used by sportwriters to refer to the NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship tournament since at least 1984.
Similar numerical terms named after the remaining tournament entries include “sweet sixteen” and “final four.”
Wikipedia: Elite Eight
The term Elite Eight, or less commonly called “Great Eight”, refers to the final eight teams in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship or the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Championship; and, thus, represents the regional finals, or national quarterfinals. In Division I, the Elite Eight consists of the two teams in each of the four regional championship games. The winners advance to the Final Four. Since 1997, when the NCAA trademarked the phrase, in Division II the Elite Eight consists of the eight winners of the eight Division II regions. Like the Division I Final Four, the Division II Elite Eight games are all held in one predetermined location.
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Like March Madness, the phrase Elite Eight, originally applied to the boys’ basketball tournament run by the Illinois High School Association. When the IHSA finals were reduced from sixteen to eight teams in 1956, a replacement nickname for Sweet Sixteen was needed, and Elite Eight won popular favor. The IHSA trademarked the term in 1995; the trademark rights are now held by the March Madness Athletic Association, a joint venture between the NCAA and IHSA formed after a 1996 court case allowed both organizations to use “March Madness” for their own tournaments.
16 March 1951, Alton (IL) Evening Telegraph, “In the Neutral Corner” with John Focht, pg. 18, col. 7:
So far, most of the first round survivors, comprising the elite eight rather than the sweet sixteen, got by on stars rather than balance.
16 March 1955, Rockford (IL) Register-Republic, “Fans’ Alley” by Jim Johnson, pg. D1, col. 2:
Next year there will be no “Sweet Sixteen.”
There will be only an “Elite EIght” or something of that nature as half the sectional champs will be eliminated before the kids get a crack at one of the most inspiring sports shows anywhere.
29 January 1984, Dallas (TX) Morning News, pg. 4B, col. 2:
Villanova, which beat Connecticut on the road Friday night, reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament last year but is in a rebuilding year.
Google News Archive
1 January 1985, Wilmington (NC) Morning Star, “State’s basketball lore proven again in 1984 season ” (Associated Press), pg. 5D, col. 1:
Wake Forest reached the Elite Eight.
Sports Illustrated
April 14, 1986
19th Hole: The Readers Take Over
Edited by Gay Flood
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Furthermore, three of the SEC’s four teams—LSU, Kentucky and Auburn—went on to the Elite Eight. The fourth, Alabama, got knocked out by another SEC team (Kentucky). Thanks to the NCAA Selection Committee, three of the conference’s teams were put in the same regional. Maybe next year the SEC will not be underestimated!
RONNIE MARSHALL
Boston, Ky.
Sports Illustrated
April 28, 1986
19th Hole: The Readers Take Over
Edited by Gay Flood
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With the Michigan Wolverines ranked No. 2 in college football, the Michigan State Spartans in the Elite Eight in basketball and No. 1 in hockey, the Pistons headed for the NBA playoffs and the Tigers projected to be in the thick of the American League pennant chase, what more can I say? My compliments on three fine salutes to Michigan sports.
KEVIN POZSGAY
Deckerville, Mich.
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Word Mark ELITE EIGHT
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: conducting annual basketball tournaments at the college level. FIRST USE: 19930300. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930300
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