CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — For the first time in the league’s history, the 2010 America East Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will be held in a combined tournament format at the University of Hartford’s 3,508-seat Chase Arena in West Hartford, Conn. March 4-7, 2010. The first, quarterfinal and semifinal rounds for both the men and women will be held at the combined tournament, while the title games will both be held the following weekend at the site of highest seeds remaining.
The decision to move from the current format to a combined tournament was recommended by a committee of America East athletics directors and basketball coaches, and was voted on by the athletics directors.
“We are thrilled to have both tournaments, our two signature events of the year, combine for one spectacular weekend of championship basketball in Hartford” said America East Commissioner Patrick Nero. “The experience of Hartford’s staff, having hosted numerous women’s championships, along with a central location for our fans to come out and see young, talented programs will undoubtedly result in a successful weekend.”
“I am pleased we have the chance to showcase America East basketball by hosting the 2010 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships,” said Patricia H. Meiser, Director of Athletics at University of Hartford. “The Chase Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion provides for an intimate and fan-friendly environment, and is a unique setting to stage the tournament. It is with great excitement we accept the opportunity and we believe our community will respond.”
Both first round games will be held Thursday, March 4, while the women’s quarterfinals will follow on Friday, March 5. The men’s quarterfinals will be scheduled for Saturday, March 6 and both the men’s and women’s semifinal tilts will take place Sunday, March 7. The highest seeds remaining in both the men’s and women’s tournament will host the championship games with the men’s title game on Saturday, March 13 and the women’s final on Sunday, March 14.
The University of Hartford has hosted the America East Women’s Championship seven of the last eight years, including the 2009 Championship to be held March 12-15. The women’s championship has utilized a single-site format since 1998 and will be moving to the dual-site format for the first time ever. Maine hosted the first single-site event, followed by University of Vermont in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and Hartford in 2002-06. The tournament traveled to Binghamton in 2007 before returning to Hartford last year.
The America East Men’s Championship has utilized the present format of a single site for the first rounds, with the championship game played at the higher remaining seed since 1996. Binghamton University’s Event Center was the site of the championship in 2006 and 2008. Boston University hosted at Agganis Arena in 2007 and at Walter Brown Arena in 2003 and 2004, while the Terriers were a co-host in 2002 at Matthews Arena. The championship was played at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Del. from 1996 to 2001. The 2009 Championship will be held March 6-8 at University at Albany’s SEFCU Arena. The 2009 Champion will be decided in the title game on Saturday, March 14 at 11 a.m.
Hartford has attracted more than 40,000 fans to Chase Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion from 2002-06 and then 2008 as host of America East Women’s Basketball Championship. Over 7,200 fans alone watched the 2008 tournament from inside Chase Arena. The Hawks lead the conference this season, drawing an average of 1,845 fans for women’s basketball games. Chase Arena has drawn over 31,000 fans to date for home men’s and women’s basketball games during the 2008-09 season.
America East will consist of nine teams for the 2009-10 season: Albany, Binghamton, Boston University, Hartford, Maine, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); University of New Hampshire, Stony Brook University and Vermont.
