Views from the Shore – Connecting with Commissioner
EDISON, N.J. (Mar. 2, 2021) – One of the many things I enjoy about being a sports fan is that sports provide a common ground for discussion for so many people. These discussions can then lead to friendships and professional & personal growth. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Mukesh Roy who serves as a volunteer member of Shore’s Board of Trustees. Like me, he is a big basketball fan and we have had some great chats about the Sixers and college ball.
Dr. Roy contacted me recently with such a sense of excitement in his voice about the MAAC tournament coming to Atlantic City and he told me that two of Shore’s orthopaedic doctors, Dr. Norman Johanson and Dr. Steven Cetel, would be the attending physicians for the games. He then introduced me to Richard Ensor, the MAAC Commissioner, who I had a chance to talk with about the tournament, the challenges of the pandemic, and why they selected Atlantic City.
Here’s what Richard had to say:
In 2019 the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), which is one of 31 Division I conferences’ that annually participate in ‘March Madness’, announced it would conduct its annual men’s and women’s basketball championships in Atlantic City for 2020-22. “It’s a great thrill for me personally to have the MAAC Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships hosted by Atlantic City in the world-famous Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall,” noted MAAC Commissioner Richard Ensor in 2019. “As a lifelong resident of the Jersey shore I know what a great destination site Atlantic City will be with numerous entertainment, hotel, gaming and dining options to compliment an exciting week of men’s and women’s college hoops.”
Little did I realize in 2019 that our commitment to Atlantic City would be challenged by a world-wide pandemic. We all remember the dramatic end to the 2020 championships following game three of the women’s quarterfinals. This decision was painful, but necessary, as the NCAA and all Division I conferences recognized the need to shut down college sports for the safety of participants and fans.
As we start the 2021 championships we do so after careful study of safety procedures working in tandem with our institutional medical teams, and state and local health authorities. Unfortunately, this has meant that only friends and families of the student-athletes and coaches can attend the championships. The decision was made with great care by the conference membership based local and state guidelines.
Fortunately, the MAAC’s ESPN partners will ensure that all championship games will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks which include various linear and digital platforms.
The MAAC is committed to Atlantic City and having its premier sporting event in a region recognized as a year-round destination that is growing with exciting attractions. The MAAC schools selected AC because it is an area that features exquisite dining, outlet and boutique shopping, world-class entertainment, and much more. More than 250,000 attendees witnessed world-class entertainment and shows at the historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in 2019. The interest in Atlantic City remains strong within the MAAC membership which had a glimpse of what could become a great annual site for the championships before last year’s abrupt shutdown.
“Monmouth is delighted that the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will be coming to Atlantic City. The city has shown a great interest in being our host, and the venue will be a wonderful draw for our fans and friends,” said Monmouth University Vice President/Director of Athletics Dr. Marilyn McNeil in 2019. “We believe that this decision by the MAAC Presidents will lead to a fabulous destination opportunity for MAAC fans, students, and our student-athletes.”
“We are very much looking forward to co-hosting the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships in Atlantic City. Not only does Atlantic City offer the conference neutrality, it provides a multitude of entertainment, shopping, and dining options for fans to take advantage of while enjoying championship basketball,” noted Rider University Athletic Director Don Harnum last year.
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center. He is also on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association, an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University, and is a founding member of Somers Point-Community First, a local volunteer organization.
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 40th 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.