MAAC Unveils Plans for Basketball Hall of Fame Exhibit
MAAC Sports
Edison, N.J. - The MAAC, in partnership with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, unveiled plans for an exhibit at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. The exhibit will focus on several aspects of MAAC Basketball and is slated to open in the fall of 2011. The plans coincide with Springfield hosting the 2012, 2013 and 2014 MAAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships at the MassMutual Center.
"The MAAC Council of Presidents unanimously approved the exhibit that will provide our 10 member institutions excellent exposure to basketball fans of all ages," said MAAC Commissioner Richard J. Ensor. "The display will celebrate the history of the MAAC, the experience of being a student-athlete and raise awareness of the annual conference championships taking place each year in Springfield."
The exhibit will feature several different themes. Each of the 10 MAAC institutions will have an individual kiosk to highlight the institution and its basketball history. Featured items will include a team jersey, a large acrylic team logo and information on the institution.
Secondly, a piece entitled "A Day in the Life of a College Student-Athlete" will provide visitors unique insight into what it takes to succeed as a college student-athlete. A video presentation will showcase select MAAC student-athletes through their experiences, both inside the classroom and on the playing floor.
Another display will celebrate the 30-year history of the MAAC, including photos, artifacts and other memorabilia. Lastly, a section will be devoted to current happenings in the MAAC, including up-to-date news, standings and information on championships.
"The Basketball Hall of Fame is excited to welcome the MAAC to the City of Springfield and the Hall of Fame," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "The MAAC Championships in Springfield and the MAAC exhibit in the Hall of Fame continue the positive basketball additions to the City of Springfield."
The presence of the MAAC in the Basketball Hall of Fame will include an exclusive area on the museum's second floor. The museum, which has 200,000 visitors annually, will feature the MAAC schools for the three years of the MAAC Championships.
The MAAC consists of 10 member institutions: Canisius College (Buffalo, N.Y.), Fairfield University (Fairfield, Conn.), Iona College (New Rochelle, N.Y.), Loyola University Maryland (Baltimore, Md.), Manhattan College (Riverdale, N.Y.), Marist College (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), Niagara University (Niagara University, N.Y.), Rider University (Lawrenceville, N.J.), Saint Peter's College (Jersey City, N.J.), and Siena College (Albany, N.Y.).