BOSTON? The University of Hartford will host the 2008 America East Women’s Basketball Tournament, the sixth time in the last seven years the event has been held at the 4,017-seat Chase Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion. The decision was reached by the conference’s athletics directors.
The nine-team tournament in 2008 begins with a first-round game on Thursday, March 13. Quarterfinal and semifinal games follow on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15, respectively. The championship game will be played Sunday, March 16. All semifinal games as well as the championship games will be produced by America East and ESPN Regional Television.
“We are proud to bring the America East Women’s Basketball tournament back to Hartford,” said Patricia H. Meiser, Director of Athletics and Special Assistant to the President at Hartford. “Connecticut is a state that embraces women’s college basketball; Hartford’s support is among the best in the conference and it is our intention to showcase Hartford Women’s Basketball and the America East at the highest levels in the country.”
“America East Conference is excited to be returning to Hartford for our women’s basktball championship,” said Patrick Nero, America East Commissioner. “The folks at the University of Hartford have built an outstanding women’s basktball program and they are committed to running a first class championship. The city and state have a terrific reputation for supporting women’s basketball and we look forward to sharing in this event with them.”
Hartford has attracted more than 33,000 fans to Chase Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion from 2002-06 as host of America East Women’s Basketball Championship. The Hawks drew nearly 14,000 fans to campus last season for 14 home games.
America East has enjoyed tremendous success in women’s basketball in recent years. Hartford became just the second team in league history to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament with an upset win over Temple in 2006. Last season, the Hawks advanced to the second-round of the Preseason and Postseason WNIT and should be among the favorites heading into this season.
The America East Tournament has utilized a single-site format since 1998. Binghamton University hosted the event last season, Maine hosted the event the first season, followed by University of Vermont in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Hartford hosted each of the last four seasons.
America East will consist of nine teams for the 2007-08 season: University at Albany, Binghamton, Boston University, Hartford, Maine, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); University of New Hampshire, Stony Brook University and Vermont.
Game times and ticket information for the America East Women’s Basketball Tournament will be announced at a later date.