Cambridge, Mass. – Following the America East Conference annual meetings, the conference membership reaffirmed its commitment to host the 2009 men’s basketball championship at the University at Albany’s SEFCU Arena on March 6-8. After the conference announced that UAlbany would play host to the championship in early May, there were some concerns raised when the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference moved its postseason tournament to the Capital Region from New Jersey.
“During our Annual Presidents’ and Athletic Directors’ meetings this week, we received updates on our 2009 Men’s Basketball Championship in Albany,” America East Conference Commissioner Patrick Nero stated. “Both groups came away from these meetings confident that we remain on track for a successful championship in March. The concept of having two men’s basketball conference championships in the same city, the same weekend, is a new one. While it may present some challenges, we have a very good working relationship with the MAAC and both conferences will work together to address any issues. We feel having both tournaments on the same weekend will give Capital Region fans the unique opportunity to enjoy several days of NCAA Division I basketball. It’s not only a dream weekend for the hoops junkie, but a time for the casual fan to become a big fan and for first-time fans to experience all the excitement of college basketball.”
Added UAlbany Director of Athletics Lee McElroy, “We are pleased the America East Conference membership has made strong its commitment to conduct the 2009 men’s basketball championship at the University at Albany’s SEFCU Arena. The Capital Region is fortunate to have both the America East and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships on the same weekend where fans can enjoy both tournaments. UAlbany and its department of athletics will continue working toward presenting a first-class event.”
The nine-team tournament in 2009 begins with a first-round game on Friday, March 6. Quarterfinal and semifinal games follow on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, respectively. The championship game will be played Saturday, March 14 at the home court of the higher remaining seed and will be televised by ESPN2.SEFCU Arena opened in the spring of 1992 as an $11 million state-of-the-art facility. The playing surface on the arena’s three basketball courts and the surrounding .11 mile track were completely renovated in December of 2004. SEFCU Arena, formerly the Recreation & Convocation Center, played host to the America East Men’s Basketball championship game in 2006
“During our Annual Presidents’ and Athletic Directors’ meetings this week, we received updates on our 2009 Men’s Basketball Championship in Albany,” America East Conference Commissioner Patrick Nero stated. “Both groups came away from these meetings confident that we remain on track for a successful championship in March. The concept of having two men’s basketball conference championships in the same city, the same weekend, is a new one. While it may present some challenges, we have a very good working relationship with the MAAC and both conferences will work together to address any issues. We feel having both tournaments on the same weekend will give Capital Region fans the unique opportunity to enjoy several days of NCAA Division I basketball. It’s not only a dream weekend for the hoops junkie, but a time for the casual fan to become a big fan and for first-time fans to experience all the excitement of college basketball.”
Added UAlbany Director of Athletics Lee McElroy, “We are pleased the America East Conference membership has made strong its commitment to conduct the 2009 men’s basketball championship at the University at Albany’s SEFCU Arena. The Capital Region is fortunate to have both the America East and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships on the same weekend where fans can enjoy both tournaments. UAlbany and its department of athletics will continue working toward presenting a first-class event.”
The nine-team tournament in 2009 begins with a first-round game on Friday, March 6. Quarterfinal and semifinal games follow on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, respectively. The championship game will be played Saturday, March 14 at the home court of the higher remaining seed and will be televised by ESPN2.SEFCU Arena opened in the spring of 1992 as an $11 million state-of-the-art facility. The playing surface on the arena’s three basketball courts and the surrounding .11 mile track were completely renovated in December of 2004. SEFCU Arena, formerly the Recreation & Convocation Center, played host to the America East Men’s Basketball championship game in 2006
