July 6, 2006 - Sovereign Bank Arena, Rider University and the MAAC Awarded Two NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship Events
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2006
Sovereign Bank Arena, Rider University and
the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
awarded two NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship Events
The NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet approved the site selection.
"The MAAC is pleased to be selected to co-host with Rider University the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at the Sovereign Bank Arena," Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Commissioner Rich Ensor said. "The selection for 2009 and 2010 recognizes the great job the league did in 2006 hosting the event, and it is a great achievement for the region."
The MAAC and Rider successfully hosted one of the first and second rounds sites of the 2006 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at Sovereign Bank Arena. The MAAC hosted the 2003 EUS Communications MAAC Basketball Championships at the Trenton venue, and is set to host the league championships there again in 2009.
"The NCAA's selection of Mercer County and our Capitol City of Trenton to again host the Women's Division I Basketball Championship validates the 'Capitol County' as a viable and significant sports venue," Brian M. Hughes, Mercer County Executive, said. "I am extremely proud that the Sovereign Bank Arena continues to showcase quality and enjoyable events right here in our backyard."
"This is a great honor to be selected by the NCAA to host the Women's Division I Basketball Championship in 2009 and 2010," Eric Cuthbertson, General Manager of the Sovereign Bank Arena, said. "Rider, the MAAC, the Mercer Sports Organizing Committee and the staff of the Sovereign Bank Arena did a tremendous job this past year as host of the first and second rounds, and this is a great reward for those efforts."
The MAAC and Rider have co-hosted two NCAA events. Prior to last year's event at Sovereign Bank Arena, both parties worked with the Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York to sponsor the 2003 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
"I am delighted that Rider has been chosen again to co-host this important NCAA championship," Dr. Mordechai Rozanski, President of Rider, said. "We look forward to working with the MAAC, the Sovereign Bank Arena, the city of Trenton, Mercer County and the Mercer Sports Organizing Committee to build on the success of 2006."
"This is truly good news, and a reward for a job well done, for all that worked so hard to make the tournament in 2006 a success and great news for local fans of college basketball," Don Harnum, Director of Athletics at Rider, said.
The exact dates for the 2009 regional (March 28, 30 or March 29, 31) and 2010 first and second round sites (March 20, 22 or March 21, 23) will be announced at a later date. Tickets for the 2009 and 2010 events will go on sale in March, 2008, and it is anticipated that a package will be available to buy admission for both events.
-MAAC-
