Fairfield to Host 2006 NCAA Womenb's Basketball Tournament East Regional
Associated Press
Fairfield, CT - The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee picked Fairfield University to host the 2006 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament East Regional at the Arena at Harbor Yard, in Bridgeport, CT.
The announcement came on July 1, as the NCAA selected sites for the 2004, 2005, and 2006 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournaments.
"We are delighted that the NCAA has chosen Fairfield University to host the 2006 Women's Basketball Regional Championships at the Arena at Harbor Yard," Director of Athletics Gene Doris said. "The Women's Basketball Committee has shown confidence in the region by awarding us an event of significant magnitude. During the NCAA's visitation this spring all constituencies in the community came together to bring this positive result to the area. We are certain that the region will benefit from its place in NCAA 'March Madness.'"
A little over a month ago, Fairfield University and Volume Services America manager of the Arena at Harbor Yard, hosted a representative of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Selection Committee for a two-day visit to Bridgeport. During her stay, the NCAA's Sue Donohoe toured the Arena and heard presentations from representatives of Fairfield University, Volume Services, Bridgesports, the Fairfield County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, city officials and others.
"Hopefully this is the first of what will prove to be many national events that will showcase Fairfield University, Volume Services, and the Arena at Harbor Yard," Harold Bannon, executive director of the Arena at Harbor Yard said. "We're really delighted to be working in partnership with the university and the city on events like this."
The other three regional sites are the Gund Arena, in Cleveland, Ohio, the SBC Center in San Antonio, Texas, and University Arena, most notably known as "The Pit" in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Regional tournaments, will take place March 25 and 27, and March 26 and 28.
Last season Fairfield began playing all of its men's and women's home games at the Arena at Harbor Yard.
"I'm very excited that we'll have the opportunity to showcase the university, the Arena, and our program to the country,? Fairfield University Women??s Basketball Head Coach Dianne Nolan said.
The Fairfield women's basketball team tips off the 2002-03 season on November 22, when Penn State University visits the Arena.