A group of participants bounce their way to the arena. (Submitted photo)
SPRINGFIELD – MAAC-ACHUSETTS is returning to the MassMutual Center in Springfield from March 7-11, 2013 and you can be there for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men’s and Women’s Division I Basketball Championships games of your choice.
The 2013 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships is a premier Division I College Basketball tournament. The winner of the Men’s and Women’s Championships will each receive an automatic bid to the NCAA National Championship Tournament. The MAAC consists of the following 10 schools – the Canisius Golden Griffins, Fairfield University Stags, Iona Gaels, Loyola Greyhounds, Manhattan Jaspers, Marist Red Foxes, Niagara Purple Eagles, Rider Broncs, Saint Peter’s Peacocks and the Siena Saints.
“Western Massachusetts was introduced to the excitement of Division I MAAC basketball last March and saw Loyola and Iona advance to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships, plus a Marist women’s team that advanced to the 2nd round of the NCAAs,” noted MAAC Commissioner, Richard J. Ensor. “That was just a warm-up to what’s ahead this year as the MAAC has one of its closest races in a decade with five men’s teams all in contention for the title and with it the NCAA automatic bid to the ‘Big Dance’. I hope local fans will join us at the MassMutual Center and support the conference and remember that a portion of all ticket sales helps to support the Jimmy Fund.”
Single session tickets are on sale for as low as $10, and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com, the MassMutual Center Box Office or by phone at 800-745-3000. For groups of 10 or more, call 413-271-3223.
Single Session tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com, the MassMutual Center Box Office or charged by phone at 800-745-3000. For groups of 10 or more, call 413-271-3223.
MAAC is contributing a portion of each ticket sold to The Jimmy Fund, for information visit: MAACachusetts.com.
The MAAC Men’s and Women’s Division I Basketball Championships consists of the following ten schools – the Canisius Golden Griffins, Fairfield University Stags, Iona Gaels, Loyola Greyhounds, Manhattan Jaspers, Marist Red Foxes, Niagara Purple Eagles, Rider Broncs, Saint Peter’s Peacocks and the Siena Saints.
BOUNCE TO THE ARENA – THE ONE MILE DRIBBLE: On Sun., March 10 at 1 p.m., the MassMutual Center along with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men’s and Women’s Division I Basketball Championships are rolling out a repeat of last year’s popular “Bounce to the Arena,” a parade of people bouncing their basketballs one mile from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor and participating teams, families and children of all ages will dribble their basketballs to the MGM Springfield FanFest at the MassMutual Center.
Once kids arrive at the MassMutual Center, they will have the chance to play interactive games and participate in many events at the MGM Springfield FanFest, such as jumping on inflatable bounce houses, shooting hoops on the basketball court, playing in “Knockout,” taking part in age appropriate basketball games and visiting a variety of vendors. All kids who participate will also be invited to watch two men’s semi-final games at 2 p.m. and 4:30.
Registration prior to March 9 at 5 p.m. is $15 per person and day of registration is $20 each. Day of registration will start at 11 a.m. at the Hall of Fame. All children registered will receive a basketball, admission to the MGM Springfield FanFest, a gift from Xfinity and a ticket to Sunday’s afternoon session. Guardians are required to attend with their children and will receive $5 discount off their tickets to the MAAC game. To register or for more information visit MAACachusetts.com or call 413-787-6610. Groups call 413-271-3223.
A GOOD CAUSE: A contribution to The Jimmy Fund will be made for every ticket sold to the 2013 Division I Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Championships being held March 7-11 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.
The Jimmy Fund raises funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund to save countless lives. Contributions also help reduce the burden of cancer for patients and their families.
“We are proud to be partnering with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference,” said Suzanne Fountain, Director of The Jimmy Fund. “Our partnership with the Conference and its student-athletes will enable us to make great strides in pediatric and adult cancer care and research at Dana-Farber and The Jimmy Fund.”
As part of the partnership, the MAAC will be running a text-to-give campaign where fans can text “JIMMY” to 22122 to contribute $5 to the Jimmy Fund*. There will also be Jimmy Fund canisters at MAAC basketball contests throughout the remainder of the regular season for fans to contribute. The culmination of the partnership will be at the 2013 MAAC Basketball Championships where a giant Jimmy Fund canister will be located at the MassMutual Center where the MAAC encourages fans to help to fill the can with their donations.
Those who attend the 2013 MAAC Basketball Championships will also be contributing with a part of the proceeds from their ticket purchases. For fans who purchase tickets to the Championships, $2 of every ticket of more than $15 and $1 from every ticket sold of $10 or under will benefit the Jimmy Fund.
“The MAAC is excited to partner with the Jimmy Fund for the 2013 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships at the MassMutual Center in March,” notes Richard J. Ensor, Commissioner of the MAAC. “The MAAC and its student-athletes closely identify with the mission of the Jimmy Fund and hope this partnership will assist the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as it seeks to provide cancer patients with the best treatment available today while developing tomorrow’s cures through cutting-edge research.”
