The Hill News

The USS Carl Vinson â€" the aircraft carrier that buried Osama bin Laden at sea â€" will host a considerably more upbeat event this Veterans Day.

President Obama will visit the ship that day when it hosts the Carrier Classic, the first ever college basketball game to be held on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, according to a tweet from White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer. The game will feature the North Carolina Tar Heels and Michigan State Spartans.

"This Veterans Day, President Obama will honor our nation's veterans by laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and then by traveling to San Diego, California, to attend the Carrier Classic on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson," the White House said in a statement. "He looks forward to a great game between Michigan State and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.! "

A temporary basketball court, lighting and seating for 7,000 spectators will be constructed on the flight deck for the game. In addition to the president, Michigan State alum Magic Johnson will represent his school as an honorary captain, and James Worthy will be present on behalf of North Carolina. Johnson and Worthy were teammates for nine seasons on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Obama is a big basketball fan and often plays on the weekends. He's been spotted at Washington Wizards games and shares his NCAA championship bracket every year.

The Carrier Classic is organized by Morale Entertainment, who says it uses sports to “entertain and celebrate the men and women of the Armed forces and to inspire appreciation and support across the United States."