MAAC Volleyball Championship Set to Return; Albany Capital Center to Serve as Host

11/11/2020 11:00:00 AM

ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 11, 2020) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) announced plans to host its Volleyball Championship at the Albany Capital Center from March 31 - April 3, 2021. The 2020 MAAC Volleyball Championship, as well as championships for all fall sports, were postponed earlier this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with hopes to return in the spring.

“This championship presents a unique opportunity for the Albany Convention Center to host a Division I championship in a bubble-like environment,” said MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. “The deal itself was made possible due to the great relationship the MAAC has with the Albany Convention Center and the Renaissance Hotel in a public-private partnership that allows the event to be conducted in a safe environment and brings business back to the Capital Region.”

The top eight programs will qualify for the tournament and be placed in a ‘bubble-like’ environment, with teams staying at the Renaissance Hotel that is connected to the Albany Convention Center. The Convention Center itself will house two competition floors and will be responsible for enhanced cleaning protocols. Food and proper accommodations to hold practices and meetings will be provided to each team, eliminating the need for travel off the premises.

“Albany has a great history with the MAAC, hosting championship events and we are thrilled for the opportunity to expand our work to include the Volleyball Championships,” said Albany Capital Center General manager Doug McClaine. “We have worked hard to put protocols in place to offer a safe and controlled event environment during these challenging times. We look forward to presenting a high-level championship experience for the MAAC student-athletes and administrators.”

The Capital Center has worked diligently, closely following NYS Guidelines to prepare to operate during the pandemic. ASM Global launched Venueshield, setting industry standards for operation and cleaning. The Capital Center is also working with the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) on third party accreditation for facility cleaning.

“The Volleyball Sport Committee is thrilled to deliver a championship experience to these deserving student-athletes,” said Sarah Fraser, Deputy Director of Athletics at Quinnipiac University who also chairs the Volleyball Sport Committee. “The championship will allow student-athletes to showcase their abilities and compete in the sport they’ve dedicated so much time to during this extended off-season despite not knowing what the future would hold.”

About the Albany Capital Center:
Opened in March 2017, the Albany Capital Center, operated by leading venue manager ASM Global, is a modern, premier event and meeting destination in New York’s culturally rich Capital Region. Connected to the Times Union Center, Empire State Plaza and Renaissance Albany Hotel via enclosed walkways, the convention center hosts a diverse array of trade shows, consumer and social events, and meetings for up to 5,000 guests. It boasts 22,500 square feet of ballroom/exhibit space, six meeting rooms with 9,200 square feet of space, 13,500 square feet of pre-function space, state-of-the-art technology, and impeccable dining options. The ACC is conveniently located in downtown Albany and within walking distance of the New York State Capitol, business and warehouse districts, performing arts venues, museums, shops, restaurants and nightlife. For more information about the Albany Capital Center visit www.albanycapitalcenter.com, or contact the sales department at (518) 487-2009 or shannon.licygiewicz@albanycapitalcenter.com.

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) celebrates its 40^th year of competition during the 2020-21 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.