ALBANY, N.Y.
-- The America East Conference and SEFCU, the largest credit union in
New York’s Capital Region, announced today a presenting sponsorship
agreement for the 2013 America East Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Championship, which will be held at University at Albany’s SEFCU Arena
March 8-10. The announcement was made this afternoon at the conference’s
Basketball Media Day at SEFCU Arena.
“We are thrilled that SEFCU
has once again agreed to become the presenting sponsor of our
basketball championship,” said America East Commissioner Amy
Huchthausen. “SEFCU has been a great partner for the University at
Albany and America East in the past and its contribution will enhance
the championship experience for all those involved.”
“We are
proud to once again partner with the University at Albany in bringing
the community together for another exciting season of men’s and women’s
basketball topped off with the America East Championship coming to the
SEFCU Arena,” said Michael J. Castellana, SEFCU’s President and CEO. “We
welcome all of the America East teams to the Capital Region as they
participate in what is expected to be an exciting competition played by
great student athletes.”
“SEFCU’s commitment to bettering the
Capital Region community through its generosity and philanthropy is
truly impressive,” said University at Albany Vice President and Director
of Athletics Lee McElroy said. “UAlbany and SEFCU have been proud
partners for many years and we are excited to team up again in order to
deliver a first-rate championship to America East’s teams and
student-athletes, its fans and the Capital Region.”
“SEFCU is a
perfect partner for America East because its ideals, namely its
commitment to community, which is expressed through its countless
philanthropic donations each year, match so well with the message
America East and our member institutions try to instill in our
student-athletes as they develop into young leaders,” said Huchthausen.
This
is the second time SEFCU has been the presenting sponsor for an America
East Championship. The 2009 men’s basketball championship, which was
also held at Albany, was presented by SEFCU. The credit union’s
partnership with UAlbany goes back several years. The credit union and
university entered into a 10-year naming rights agreement for SEFCU
Arena in 2006.
About the America East Conference
Now
in its fourth decade of operation, the America East Conference has
evolved into one of the most comprehensive NCAA Division I conferences
in the country with a commitment to broad-based, competitive athletics
programs, complementing the academic integrity and missions of the
member institutions. Progressive in its approach to its more than 3,400
student-athletes, America East recognizes champions in each of its 20
sports. America East also conducts the nation’s most comprehensive
academic recognition program for student-athletes and collaborates on
several community service initiatives throughout its geographic
footprint each year. With members spanning from the Mid-Atlantic to
Northeast regions of the United States, America East strives to develop
champions in academics, athletics and leadership at its nine member
institutions: University at Albany, Binghamton University, Boston
University, University of Hartford, University of Maine, UMBC,
University of New Hampshire, Stony Brook University and University of
Vermont.
About SEFCU
Established in 1934, today SEFCU
is among the 50 largest credit unions in the U.S. with more than $2.4
billion in assets, over 230,000 members, and 45 branches in the Capital
Region, Binghamton, Syracuse, and Buffalo. In addition to full service
retail and commercial banking products and services, SEFCU is committed
to supporting the community through the donation of time and talent of
its staff and members, as well as monetary contributions to help people
and make an impact in the communities it serves. Find us on Facebook®
and follow us on Twitter®.