Participate in Special Events for the 2010 Citizens Bank MAAC Basketball Championships

2/27/2010 1:49:00 PM

MAAC Sports

ALBANY, NY - Here is your chance to participate in several special events that are a part of the 2010 Citizens Bank MAAC Basketball Championships.

College basketball will take over the Capital Region March 4-8 as the tournament returns to the Times Union Center. This year, not only will basketball fans have the opportunity to see exciting college basketball, but area youth will have a chance to participate in the first-ever "Bounce to the Arena," and high school kids will have a chance to get information on 10 of the best colleges in the East at the MAAC Academic Fair. Finally, as in previous years, the Fan Fest on South Pearl Street will entertain all with music, bounce houses, face painters and more!

"Bounce to the Arena" - Sunday, March 7

The "Bounce to the Arena" is an opportunity for youth ages 6-16 to celebrate women's basketball. On Sunday, March 7^th, participants will create a parade, starting at City Hall and ending at the Times Union Center. Every participant will be dribbling a basketball for the duration of the parade through downtown Albany! All area youth are encouraged to bring their friends, families and coaches with them. "Bounce to the Arena" is modeled after the 2009 NCAA Women's Final Four's March to the Arch, which turned out to be a huge success, drawing over 3,000 participants. The MAAC is working with the Albany Police Athletic League to make this event as big of a success as the event in St. Louis. All participants will receive admission to the 2010 Citizens Bank MAAC Women's Basketball Championship game at noon, a basketball compliments of the MAAC and Anaconda Sports, and a t-shirt courtesy of PAL. Parents, guardians and coaches are asked to accompany their children/teams before and during the bounce, upon arrival to the Arena, and during the Championship game. Discounted tickets will be available at the Times Union Center box office so that parents, guardians and coaches can sit with their kids/teams. Eligible youth are encouraged to pre-register using the form that can be found at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com . Registration will be also available at City Hall the day of the event.

MAAC Academic Fair - Saturday March 6

The MAAC will host its first-ever Academic Fair on Saturday, March 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Exhibition Hall of the Times Union Center. Attendees can enter the Times Union Center through the front atrium off of South Pearl Street under the door marked Academic Fair. High school students will have the opportunity to speak with admissions representatives from the 10 member schools of the MAAC: Canisius College (Buffalo, NY), Fairfield University (Fairfield, CT), Iona College (New Rochelle, NY), Loyola University Maryland (Baltimore, MD), Manhattan College (Riverdale, NY), Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY), Niagara University (Lewiston, NY), Rider University (Lawrenceville, NJ), Saint Peter's College (Jersey City, NJ) and Siena College (Loudonville, NY). Attendees at the fair will receive a passport that can be stamped by each of the 10 schools. Any student at the fair who visits all 10 stations and redeems a completed passport will receive a voucher good for one free upper-level ticket to any single remaining session of the 2010 Citizens Bank MAAC Basketball Championships. Parents, guardians and friends can also purchase discounted tickets. Please note this offer is only good to high school students, and a valid school ID should be made available. Additionally, all students and up to two guests receive complimentary admission to Session IV of the tournament, which will be taking place during the fair.

Fan Fest - Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6

The Fan Fest, located on Pearl Street right in front of the Times Union Center, will take place on Friday, March 5^th and Saturday, March 6^th from 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. It is a party with live music, face painters, caricatures and clowns. The Tri-City Valley Cats will be in attendance with their speed pitch game and a bounce house for the kids! Catch the action on the big screen in the tent, and enjoy food from some local restaurants. Live music by League of Extraordinary Gentleman will entertain the crowd on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. All the activities are free of charge and open to everyone.

Both all-session and individual session tickets for the 2010 Citizens Bank MAAC Basketball Championships are on sale now and can be purchased at the arena box office, www.timesunion.com, 1-800-30-EVENT or at select Price Chopper Outlets.

Schedule of Events
Friday, March 5	Fan Fest, Pearl Street	12:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 6	Academic Fair, Exhibition Hall	10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
	Fan Fest, Pearl Street	12:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 7	"Bounce to the Arena," City Hall to Times Union Center	8:30 - 11:45 a.m.