For Immediate Release: May 7, 2007
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton selected to host 2008 America East Men's Basketball Tournament
Events Center will serve as venue for first three rounds on March 7-9, 2008


America East Release

VESTAL, N.Y. - The America East Men's Basketball Championship is returning to Binghamton for the third time in four years, the conference announced Monday afternoon. In a decision made by the conference athletics directors, Binghamton was chosen to host the first three rounds of the 2008 tournament, which will take place on March 7-9 at the 5,142-seat Events Center.

"Binghamton University is delighted to have been selected to host the America East Men's basketball championship tournament in 2008," Director of Athletics Joel Thirer said. "Our staff are committed to providing a first-class tournament experience to all of the players, coaches and fans, and we appreciate the show of confidence by our America East Colleagues and the conference administration in electing to return to Binghamton. The local enthusiasm engendered by Coach Broadus and his staff will assure that this will be an exciting three day event. The America East Conference should provide a high level of basketball competition this year, and many of the member schools will be battling for a chance to go to the championship game. Hopefully, between their fans and ours, we'll make this the best attended tournament in conference history."

Binghamton, which has led the conference in home attendance in each of the last four seasons, was lauded by America East commissioner Patrick Nero.

"We felt that the combination of strong campus leadership and community support will allow us to build on the momentum from our previous championships in the Events Center," Nero said. "Our conference saw great improvement in men's basketball this past year and we expect that this will continue and add to the excitement of the 2008 Championship."

Binghamton drew 13,221 fans for the 2006 championship and 15,977 for the 2005 event. Those figures represented the top two draws in the last six years of the tournament. The Bearcats advanced to the semifinals each year, losing to Vermont on both occasions. Binghamton's season ticket sales have increased four consecutive years (1,656 in 2006-07) and BU led the league with a 3,206 average this past winter.

"It's a great thing for us and hopefuly we can make a strong showing," head coach Kevin Broadus said of the announcement. "We want to be more than just a host, in stature. We want to be playing throughout the tournament. This news will help increase our fan base and give everyone something to point toward in March."

The nine-team tournament begins with a first-round game on Friday, March 7. Quarterfinal and semifinal games follow on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9, respectively. THe championship game will be played Saturday, March 15 at the home court of the higher remaining seed and will be televised by ESPN2.