SPRINGFIELD – March Madness really is just around the corner!
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships tip-off March 1st – and it’s all at the MassMutual Center, in Springfield.
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will be held March 1-5 with 18 games slated for nine sessions over the five-day haul.
Twenty teams will participate. Two champions will earn tournament berths into March Madness. The participating Division I college basketball teams will include, men and women from: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Loyola University, Manhattan College, Marist College, Niagara University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s College, and Siena College.
Tickets start at $10 for Women’s games and $15 for Men’s. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, at ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the MassMutual Center Box Office.
All Session Pass are also available and start at $110. This includes a ticket to all 18 games, a one-day pass to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and a game program.
There will also be numerous events tied to the Madness.
“The Committees are hard at work developing vast array of programs for the community and the Championship” says Global Spectrum’s Matt Hollander, General Manager of the MassMutual Center. “There are a lot of things still needed to be done, but the wheels are moving as we prepare for an exciting Division 1 NCAA College Basketball event.”
For more details on the MAAC Championships visit MAACachusetts.com.
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2012 MAAC Basketball Championships Educates Local Students
Guest speakers includes WWE Superstar David Otunga
SPRINGFIELD – The MassMutual Center along with the MAAC Conference is announcing the event “Bus Brigade”. Schools in the area have been learning about the MAAC Colleges for the last month and each has been assigned a partnering institution within the MAAC. 1,100 students from the local and surrounding communities will have a chance to meet the teams that they learn about during a pep rally hosted at the Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday, March 1st.
On Monday, March 5th, the students will attend FanFest at the MassMutual Center to listen to a message from guest speaker, WWE Superstar David Otunga. Otunga will be presenting on B.A. Star an anti-bullying program. After the program, they will attend the Women’s Championships Game at 12pm.
For the high school students in the area, the MAAC will be hosting a college fair Friday March 2nd, from 10-11am. This fair will have a representative from each MAAC institution. They will also hear from guest speaker Bob Anastas of SADD. After the college fair the students will have a chance to watch the Women’s Quarterfinal matchups on Friday.
For more information about the MAAC College Fair and tickets, please visit www.maacachusetts.com.
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Bounce to the Arena
SPRINGFIELD – The MassMutual Center along with the MAAC Conference is rolling out the “Bounce to the Arena”- a parade basketball bounce. The Bounce rolls off at 12:30pm at the Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday, March 4th. The Honorable Mayor Domenic Sarno, Rich Ensor, Commissioner of the MAAC and participating kids will bounce their basketballs from the Basketball Hall of Fame to the MassMutual Center FanFest. Once the kids arrive, they will have the chance to play at FanFest, where they can jump on inflatable bounce houses, shoot hoops on the basketball court, play interactive games, meet various vendors, and more. After FanFest, the kids will watch two Division I NCAA College basketball games.
Friendly’s Ice Cream will also be hosting “Sundae Funday” during FanFest on Sunday afternoon. They will be giving out free ice cream while supplies last to FanFest guests.
Pre-registration for Bounce to the Arena is only $15. Day of registration is $20. All kids registered will receive a basketball, a back pack sponsored by Xfinity and a ticket to Sunday’s afternoon session of MAAC Basketball. Guardians are required to attend with their children and will receive 50% off the $37.50 and $45 tickets.
For more details and ticket information please visit MAACachusetts.com or contact [email protected] for additional information.
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Cheer and Dance Clinic at the MAAC Division I Basketball Championship Tournament
SPRINGFIELD – Come out to the MassMutual Center to learn a cheer and dance routine from a Division I college coach! The MassMutual Center is hosting a Cheer and Dance Clinic to accompany the 2012 MAAC Basketball Championships. The clinic will provide young cheer and dance kids the opportunity to perform at the Men’s semi-final game on Sunday, March 4. The performance will be choreographed by the Fairfield University Cheer and Dance Coach. Join the fun and learn from an exceptional coach!
Practice begins Saturday, March 3 from 10:30am to 1:00pm. Practice will be held at the MassMutual Center inside the MAAC Fan Fest. The halftime performance will be on Sunday, March 4 during the Men’s 2:00pm semi-final game. The opportunity is open to children between the ages of 5 and 12. Registration is $20.00 which includes a t-shirt.
To register for the Cheer and Dance Clinic go to MAACachusetts.com.
For more information visit MAACachusetts.com or contact Paul Dionne at 413-271-3223 or [email protected].
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MassMutual Center to Honor First Responders, Red Cross Supports and Hometown Heroes during the MAAC Basketball Championships
SPRINGFIELD – The MassMutual Center along with the American Red Cross and the MAAC Conference are proud to announce “First Responder” night at the 2012 MAAC Basketball Championships, Saturday, March 3, during the Men’s Quarterfinals session games 7:30 and 10:00pm. The natural disasters of the past year have devastated the fabric of our region; it is only the human spirit and random acts of kindness from our first responders who have picked us up. We would love to honor and support all these groups for their efforts and hard work put into restoring and protecting our community.
We will be honoring our Red Cross Hometown Heroes at halftime of the 7:30pm game as well as other selected First Responders throughout both the 7:30pm and 10:30pm games. To nominate someone who you believe should be recognized that night, please send the nominee’s name, reason why they should be nominated and a photo to [email protected].
For more information and ticket informational please visit MAACachusetts.com or contact [email protected] for additional information.
