Lyn Carlotto (center), executive director of the Arena at Harbor Yard, proudly displays a plaque presented to her by MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor (right) on the occasion of the announcement that Fairfield University and the Arena have been chosen to host the 2007 MAAC Men's and women's Basketball Championships. Also on hand for the news conference were Bridgeport Mayor John Fabrizi (left) and Fairfield President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. (center).

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has named Fairfield University as host and the Arena at Harbor Yard as the site for the 2007 MAAC Basketball Tournament. The announcement was made at a morning press conference on Wednesday.

"Three years ago, Fairfield University joined the city of Bridgeport and the Arena at Harbor Yard, creating a successful team to bring the best in college basketball to southwestern Connecticut," Fairfield University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. said at the news conference. "Today, we add a new teammate to this successful team - Commissioner Rich Ensor and the MAAC."

Located in Bridgeport, the Arena at Harbor Yard has served as the home court for the Fairfield University men's and women's basketball programs for the past three seasons. The 9,000-seat facility also hosted the sold-out 2004 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball first and second rounds. Fairfield has been selected to host the 2006 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball championship at the Arena.

"I am pleased that the 2007 MAAC tournament will be played in Bridgeport," Fairfield Director of Athletics Eugene P. Doris said. "We received a great deal of support with sold-out crowds for the 2004 NCAA women's basketball tournament, and expect the MAAC tournament will generate the same excitement in 2007."

The 2005 MAAC tournament takes place at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo on Thursday, March 3 through Monday, March 7. The 2006 conference tourney will be played in Albany, N.Y.

"It is great to bring the championship to Connecticut and have our local fans presented with the opportunity to attend the event at the Arena at Harbor Yard," MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor said. "Rotating the championship between cities allows all our fans the opportunity to experience top-level NCAA basketball on a regular basis. The basketball championship has been a well-received event in Albany, Buffalo and Trenton, and we anticipate that it can be equally successful in Bridgeport."

"This is a great day for the City of Bridgeport," City of Bridgeport Mayor John Fabrizi said. "We often come down to cheer on the Fairfield University basketball teams. We are very happy to be part of this tournament."

Posted On: 08-03-2004 10:08 AM

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