“Destination AC”: MAAC Basketball Season Opens with League Championships Headed to Atlantic City
EDISON, N.J. (November 6, 2019) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) 2019-20 men's and women's basketball season commenced last night with four games on the men's side and six more on the women's side. The league's 39
th season will conclude with the 2020 MAAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships at Atlantic City's historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on March 10-14.
This marks the first of a three-year agreement for the MAAC to hold its Championships in the National Historic Landmark.
All session tickets are on sale now and individual session tickets go on sale on December 2 at www.BoardwalkHall.com.
There will be many additional events surrounding the Basketball Championships at Boardwalk Hall to create a festival atmosphere, including:
- The MAAC's first eSports championships in Overwatch, League of Legends, Super Smash Bros., and Rocket League on March 13-14 (no extra ticket required)
- MAAC Fan Fest on March 13-14
- MAAC Band Jam and Spirit Squad Showcase on March 11
- MAAC 'n Cheese Fest on March 13
- The "MAAC Gives Back" program is also underway with each league men's and women's basketball team adopting a local Atlantic City school to encourage reading and school attendance.
The conference champions earn the league's automatic bids to the 2020 NCAA Basketball Tournament. Iona looks to punch its ticket to the NCAA Men's Tournament for the fifth consecutive season, while Quinnipiac is going for its fourth straight title and trip to the NCAA Women's Tournament.
"Atlantic City is an iconic destination and our members are excited about having our Championships there on a neutral court," said MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. "'Destination AC' means a lot to us. We will have a variety of alumni events and will showcase our institutions to potential students in the region along with creating a unique atmosphere with something for everyone, including eSports. The team at Boardwalk Hall along with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the Atlantic City Board of Education have made an incredible commitment to our league, coaches and student-athletes. We are looking forward to embracing and welcoming residents of Atlantic City and the surrounding communities for years to come."
The Tropicana Casino & Resort along with the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will serve as MAAC Championships headquarters.
MAAC Basketball Highlights:
- Marist Women's Basketball was selected the preseason favorite, as voted by the league's 11 head coaches. Reigning conference champion Quinnipiac was voted second.
- Iona was voted the No. 1 seed on the men's side after winning the past four MAAC Championships. Rider was picked second.
- Women's basketball conference play begins on Dec. 17 when Manhattan visits Monmouth. The rest of the teams open on Jan. 2.
- Men's basketball opens conference play on Dec. 16 when Marist visits Rider and Dec. 23 when Canisius visits Siena. A full slate of games begins on Jan. 3.
- The MAAC returns to a 20-game conference season with each school playing each other twice.
For the full schedule and to stay up to date on MAAC basketball, visit
http://maacsports.com/basketball and follow
@MAACHoops on Twitter. Join the conversation about the 2020 MAAC Basketball Championships on social media using #maAChoops20.
About the 2020 MAAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships:
The MAAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships return to New Jersey on March 10-14, 2020 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. To stay up to date on MAAC basketball, visit
http://maacsports.com/basketball and follow
@MAACHoops on Twitter.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 39
th year of competition during the 2019-20 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University, and Siena College.
About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority's mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state's key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA's expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. For more information about CRDA and our projects, visit
www.njcrda.com. Follow us on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/njcrda.