The America East Conference will hold its Men's Basketball Media Day Luncheon on Thursday, November 13 at Eilberg Lounge in the Walter Brown Arena/Case Gym complex on the campus of Boston University. The event begins at 11 a.m.
Coaches and top players from each of the 10 America East institutions– University at Albany, Binghamton University, Boston University, University of Hartford, University of Maine, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); University of New Hampshire, Northeastern University, Stony Brook University and University of Vermont– will be on hand to commence the 2003-04 season. The preseason coaches' poll and preseason all-conference team will be released at that time.
America East Conference will also highlight activities surrounding the 2004 Choice Hotels International America East Men's Basketball Championship, hosted by Boston University. The championship will feature 10 teams for the first time since 2001. Binghamton, which was not eligible for the NCAA Championship the past two seasons in its transition to Division I, will compete in the America East Championship for the first time. UMBC, which was added to membership on April 22, will also participate.
The Terriers, who were co-hosts with Northeastern at Matthews Arena in 2002 and at Walter Brown Arena in 2003, will host first round games on Friday, March 5, with quarterfinals Saturday, March 6 and semifinals Sunday, March 7 at the 3,165-seat Walter Brown Arena. Semifinal games will be produced as part of the America East TV package. The championship game will be played Saturday, March 13 at the home court of the higher-seeded team, and will be televised by ESPN, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Those planning to attend America East Men's Basketball Media Day are asked to RSVP to Matt Bourque by email (bourque@americaeast.com), phone (617-695-6369, x-14) or fax (617-695-6385) by Friday, November 7. Parking will be available at the Babcock Street Lot adjacent to Walter Brown Arena/Case Gym.
Directions to Walter Brown Arena/Case Gym:
From Mass Pike (I-90): Take Mass Pike to Exit 18 (Brighton/Cambridge). Follow signs to Cambridge to second set of lights. Turn right (by Double Tree Hotel) onto Storrow Drive. Take first exit off Storrow Drive (Boston University exit) and proceed to stop sign. Turn right onto Commonwealth Avenue. Continue on Commonwealth Avenue, past McDonald’s, to the sixth traffic light. Turn right onto Babcock Street. Babcock Street Lot is located on left. Walter Brown Arena is located on right.
From South: Take I-93 to Mass Pike and follow directions above.
From North: Take I-93 or Route 1 (South) to Storrow Drive exit. Continue on Storrow Drive to Boston University exit and proceed to stop sign. Turn right onto Commonwealth Avenue. Continue on Commonwealth Avenue, past McDonald’s, to the sixth traffic light. Turn right onto Babcock Street. Babcock Street Lot is located on left. Walter Brown Arena is located on right.
Public Transportation: Take any “B” train of the Green Line to Babcock Street stop. Exit train and walk down Babcock Street. Walter Brown Arena is located on right.