The MAAC is BAAC! Here's why you should go...
The MAAC is BAAC! Coming to the MassMutual Center March 7-11, the 2013 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship is going to draw thousands of visitors and fans to downtown Springfield and the Pioneer Valley. Here are 5 Great things about the MAAC…
1. This year’s teams, as always, are the best of the best. The schools participating are Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, Iona College in New Rochelle, NY, Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT, Loyola University in Baltimore, MD, Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY, Niagara University in Niagara Falls, NY, Saint Peters College in Jersey City, NJ, Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ, and Siena College in Loudonville, NY.
2. Next Sunday, March 10 is “Bounce to the Arena,” featuring a parade of people including local celebrities, mascots, teams and kids of all ages bouncing their basketballs one mile from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. Their destination? The MGM Springfield FanFest, which runs March 8-10, will be packed with fun games, bounce houses, hoop shooting and more. All kids participating in the “Bounce to the Arena” will also be invited to watch two Men’s Semi-Final games at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Registration prior to March 9 at 5 p.m. is $15 per person and day of registration is $20 each. Day of Registration will start at 11 a.m. at the Hall of Fame. All children registered will receive a basketball, admission to the MGM Springfield FanFest, a gift from Xfinity and a ticket to Sunday’s afternoon session. Guardians are required to attend with their children and will receive $5 discount off their tickets to the MAAC game. To register or for more information visit www.MAACachusetts.com or call 413-787-6610.
3. This is the second year of a three-year commitment that the MAAC officials made to have their event here in Springfield, the birthplace of basketball. Come show your support and let them know that this is the perfect spot!
4. Nine of Springfield’s top restaurants will serve as host restaurants for the event and be decked out in fun MAAC-themed decorations (all the while offering their usual great food and drink). They are Samuel’s Tavern, Mama Iguana’s, Adolfo’s, Pick’s at the Springfield Sheraton, The Fort/Student Prince, Max’s Tavern, Uno’s Chicago Grill, Theodores’ Blues, Brews & BBQ, and Champion’s at the Springfield Marriott.
5. Buy a ticket, and help save lives. The MAAC and the Jimmy Fund are teaming up to raise funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. $2 of every ticket $15 or more and $1 from every $10 ticket or less sold to the 2013 MAAC Basketball Championships will be contributed to the Jimmy Fund. To order your tickets, click here.
Spring is coming, so make plans to get out and be a tourist in your own backyard! Click here to order a free copy of the “2012-2013 Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley Visitor Guide.” Then click on our WOW Values bubble to take advantage of some great discounts at top spots.