Jan. 7 - Rider to Co-Host NCAA, MAAC Championship Play in 2006, 2009
Rider University and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) will join forces to bring the first and second rounds of the 2006 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament to Trenton’s Sovereign Bank Arena and will again present the Men’s and Women’s MAAC Basketball Championships at the arena in 2009.
During a press conference earlier this month, MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor announced that tickets for the 2006 NCAA women’s tournament are now on sale and that Sovereign Bank Arena has been selected as the site for the 2009 MAAC men’s and women’s tournaments.
“Rider University is proud to partner with the MAAC and Sovereign Bank Arena to bring both of these prestigious NCAA and MAAC events to the Trenton area,” said Rider President Mordechai Rozanski. “The 2006 NCAA Basketball Championship will showcase some of the nation’s best women players, and how wonderful to bring these role models from around the country to inspire young girls and women in our region and to introduce new fans to women’s sports throughout this event.
“Similarly, the 2009 MAAC Tournament brings with it significant benefits. It is ultimately all about providing competition and performance opportunities for our student athletes as part of their educational experience,” President Rozanski added. “Rider will work closely with the many volunteers through a local organizing committee to plan and execute both of these events.”
Athletics Director Curt Blake also expressed pleasure with Rider’s involvement in both events.
“We look forward to working with the MAAC, once again, and with Sovereign Bank Arena in conducting a quality NCAA championship event,” he said. “Rider also greatly appreciates the opportunity in being selected to host the 2009 men’s and women’s basketball championships.”
It is the second time that the MAAC and Rider have co-hosted an NCAA event. Both parties worked with the Pepsi Arena in Albany, NY to sponsor the 2003 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships to sell-out crowds.
Ticket applications for 2006 NCAA Division I Women’s Championship first and second rounds are available on the arena’s Web site at www.sovereignbankarena.com or by calling the box office at 609-656-3222. The event will take place on either March 18 and 20 or March 19 and 21, 2006. The deadline to submit applications is April 15, 2005.
All session tickets are priced at $75 with a $4 handing charge on each order. The tickets are good for both first round sessions on March 18 or 19 and second round session on March 20 or 21. Individuals receiving tickets will be notified, and tickets will be mailed in February of 2006 to the address on record.
