The final tournament on the 2008 Big West softball docket is one of the most prestigious in the country as Cal State Fullerton welcomes a host of clubs to southern California for the Judi Garman Classic.

The 2008 Judi Garman Classic presented by Coach USA, named after the former Titan Hall of Fame Head Softball Coach and widely regarded as the premiere mid-season collegiate tournament in the country, will be held at the dual diamond Titan Softball Complex on Wednesday, March 19, to Saturday, March 22.

The 2008 tournament will also feature a different format than what fans have become accustomed to in previous seasons as the 16-team field will compete in a round-robin format over a four-day span with each team playing five games.

Former NCAA Champions Oklahoma (2000), Fresno State (1998), and Michigan (2005), along with eight-time defending National Champion Arizona (1991, 1993-94, 1996-97, 2001, 2006-07) join host Cal State Fullerton (1986) in this year’s event as the field includes seven schools ranked in the final National Fastpitch Coaches Association top 25 poll and one more team that received votes. It will also include current Big West leader Long Beach State, which has toppled six of the 11 ranked foes it has played this season.

Pacific has a busy week in store as the Tigers play a home game Tuesday against Wisconsin, a home doubleheader against Princeton Wednesday and a road contest against Sacramento State Friday.

UC Davis also has multiple games during the upcoming week as the Aggies play a twinbill against Oregon State Sunday, then travel to Portland State for a single game against the Vikings Monday.

Cal State Northridge will also play two this week as the Matadors return to the diamond at Matador Field to take on Cal State Bakersfield in a doubleheader.

Cal Poly, UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara will take the week off from competition.