Masiello to Chair the Local Organizing Committee for the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds in Buffalo
MAAC Sports
Buffalo, N.Y. - With nine months to go until the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship make its return to Buffalo, the event’s local organizing committee has announced that it will be chaired by former City of Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello. Mr. Masiello will serve in an organizational and community relations capacity to ensure that the NCAA tournament games are a major success for the region.
Buffalo will host the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds from March 19 -21, 2010. The tournament games will bring over 12,000 visitors, creating an economic impact of $5 million. The 2010 event will mark the fourth time that Buffalo has hosted the NCAA basketball tournament (2000, 2004, 2007 & 2010). A limited amount of tickets for the tournament games can be purchased at http://www.ncaa.com/champ/m-baskbl-d1-champ.html
Mr. Masiello will lead the local organizing committee that includes: Rich Ensor, Commissioner, MAAC; Ken Taylor, Associate Commissioner for Men's Basketball and Baseball, MAAC; Bill Maher, Director of Athletics, Canisius College; and Ed McLaughlin, Director of Athletics, Niagara University. Other committee members are: Peggy Beardsley, Associate Director, Buffalo Place; Juliana Child, Promotional Sales Manager, Fox 40; Mark Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Police Department; Ron Foxcroft, CEO, Fox 40; Sue Gonzalez, Director of Special Events for the City of Buffalo; Doug Hartmayer, Director, Public Affairs, NFTA; Pete Harvey, Manager, Sport Development, Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau; Jay Josker, Sports Logistics Coordinator, Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau; Ralfa Musialowski, Business Development Specialist, NFTA; Ron Raccuia, President, Adpro Sports, and Kevin Sylvester, Director of Amateur Athletics, Buffalo Sabres.
“Western New York sports fans, young and old, love the purity of college basketball, the enthusiasm and talent of the athletes and the national spotlight that it brings to their City and Region,” Masiello said. "Buffalo comes alive when March Madness comes to HSBC Arena.”
"Former Mayor Tony Masiello provided much of the impetus for us securing the NCAA basketball bids for Buffalo, and it will be great to have him lead up the team preparing to host the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds in Buffalo at the HSBC Arena," Ensor stated. "Tony is a proven leader, whether it is on the playing floor or in City Hall, and we are lucky to have him provide us his vision as we prepare for the Road to the Final Four to begin in Buffalo."
“Canisius College is pleased to assist with hosting this tremendous event in our community,” Maher said. “With our proven track record of hosting successful NCAA Championship events, we are certain that the 2010 Tournament will be another opportunity for Western New York to shine in the national spotlight.”
“Niagara Athletics is thrilled to be a part of this group again,” McLaughlin added. “Buffalo and all of Western New York embrace this event so much that it is our obligation to make sure we can do everything possible to ensure its success. I am honored to team with such an esteemed group of individuals.”
The goal of the local organizing committee is to make sure the City of Buffalo is ready to host this prestigious sporting event. The committee handles all parking and transportation logistics, volunteering, security, hotel accommodations and visitor readiness.