The following statement may be attributed to Sports Foundation of the Capital Region Chairman Brian Akley and Discover Albany President and CEO Jill Delaney:

In light of the NCAA’s decision to conduct its upcoming championship events with only essential staff and limited family in attendance, the 2020 Albany Basketball Fan Fest has been cancelled.
 
In addition, the 2020 Albany Basketball Watch Party, scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at the Times Union Center, has also been cancelled.
 
While this is certainly a disappointing time, the Capital Region Local Organizing Committee wholeheartedly supports the decision by the NCAA and thanks the organization for selecting Albany and the Times Union Center to serve as a host site for the first and second rounds of the men’s college basketball tournament.
 
We also wish to thank our numerous supporters and partners who worked tirelessly during the many months preceding the tournament, and committed significant resources, to make this an unforgettable experience for both local basketball fans and those who were planning to visit our region.
 
We look forward to working with all of our event partners on future fan activities.

 
ALBANY, NY; February 27, 2019 – Four teams are set to compete in the semifinals of the 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Challenge after a weekend of exhilarating basketball action at the Albany YMCA.
 
The semifinals will pit Capital Region financial institutions and financial investment organizations against one another when Ayco matches up against SEFCU and CAP COM clashes with Northwestern Mutual on Saturday, March 9 at the Albany YMCA. Game times are at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Admission is free. All four teams advanced following round-robin elimination play on Sunday, February 24 at the Albany YMCA.
 
The eight-team tournament was developed to extend the excitement of the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships to corporate boardrooms and businesses throughout the Capital Region. The tournament is being run and administered by the Capital District YMCA.
 
“The first rounds of the 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge were a tremendous success and the semifinals will surely bring even more excitement for basketball fans in the Capital Region,” said David Brown, president and CEO of the Capital District YMCA. “The competition and sportsmanship were outstanding among the participating teams and fans can now see the final four teams go head-to-head. The Capital District YMCA is honored to administer this tournament as a showcase for how we help adults, families and children enjoy physical activities and sports all year long.”
 
Both Ayco and CAP COM went undefeated in opening round competition to secure the number one seeds, while Northwestern Mutual and SEFCU advanced with a 2-1 record as the corporate challenge moves closer to crowning a champion.
 
In addition to tournament play, each of the participating teams also competed in a friendly 3-point contest and free throw competition. Ryan Regan of Northwestern Mutual won the 3-point contest after making 9 out of 10 shots, while Thomas Santiago of SEFCU was victorious during the free throw competition.
 
Each semifinal game will be contested over a 20-minute period and will be decided by the first team to score 21 points or is in the lead at the end of regulation time.
 
The two teams to emerge from the semifinals of the 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge will square off on Championship Monday between 4 and 8 p.m. during the fourth annual Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest on March 11 at the Albany Capital Center. Both the winner and second-place team will be honored during the MAAC Men’s Championship.
 
The Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest will follow the MAAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Monday, March 11 at 2:30 p.m. and take place prior to the MAAC Men’s Basketball Championship which tips off at 9 p.m. Both games will be held at the Times Union Center, which is connected by walkway to the Albany Capital Center.
 
While there is no admission charge to attend the finals of the 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge, tickets are required to sample gourmet mac-n-cheese dishes from numerous local restaurants during the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest. Several craft beer and wine options from regional breweries and wineries will also be available for tasting.
 
Tickets for the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest are available at www.albanyfanfest.com. Fans can save $2 per set of sampling tickets with advance purchase. Tickets purchased in advance are $8 and entitle guests to five samples of mac-n-cheese. Tasting tickets will also be available at the door for $10 (cash only).
 
Craft beer and wine tasting tickets will be $5 for three samples and are available exclusively at the event (cash only; must be at least 21 years old with a valid ID).
 
The Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest will also feature free family-friendly activities and entertainment, including face painting, balloon artists, inflatables and music from a DJ.
 
Sponsors of the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest include Hannaford Supermarkets, New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), SEFCU, Saratoga Eagle, Dunkin’, AYCO, Pioneer Bank, Albany Capital Center, Total Events, ESPN 104.5 WTMM and NewsChannel 13.
 
The 2019 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will take place Thursday, March 7 through Monday, March 11 at the Times Union Center. The tournament champions each earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.
 
All-session and individual session passes are currently on-sale for the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. Flex ticket packages may also be purchased at the arena box office, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.
 
For more information about the 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge or the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest, visit www.albanyfanfest.com.
 
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CONTACT:
Mark Bardack or Levi Pascher 
Ed Lewi Associates
P: (518) 383-6183
E: mbardack@edlewi.com or lpascher@edlewi.com   

ALBANY, NY; February 21, 2019 – Numerous Capital Region restaurants are slated to participate in the fourth annual Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest, the official fan festival of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, on Monday, March 11 at the Albany Capital Center from 4 to 8 p.m.
 
The Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest will be part of MAAC Championship Monday. It will follow the MAAC Women’s Basketball Championship at 2:30 p.m. and take place prior to the MAAC Men’s Basketball Championship which tips off at 9 p.m. Both games will be held at the Times Union Center, which is connected by walkway to the Albany Capital Center.
 
During the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest, fans will have the opportunity to sample gourmet mac-n-cheese dishes from numerous local restaurants, including: 677 Prime; City Beer Hall; City Squire; Druthers; New World Bistro Bar; Public House 42; The Tipsy Moose; Valente’s; and Wellington’s. Guests will also enjoy craft beer and wine selections at the Saratoga Eagle Craft Beer Garden.
 
Additional restaurants interested in participating in the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest are invited to contact Brooke Bardack via email at bbardack@edlewi.com or by phone at 518-221-9876.
 
“Hannaford is excited to once again be a part of this outstanding event, which serves as the signature fan attraction of the MAAC Basketball Championships in downtown Albany. This is a great lineup of restaurants and fans are certainly in store for delicious mac-n-cheese dishes,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Community Relations Specialist Brian Fabre. “We encourage both basketball and mac-n-cheese fans to join us for a fun evening on MAAC Championship Monday.”
 
Tickets for the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest are available at www.albanyfanfest.com. Fans can save $2 per set of sampling tickets with advance purchase. Tickets purchased in advance are $8 and entitle guests to five samples of mac-n-cheese. Tasting tickets will also be available at the door for $10 (cash only).
 
Craft beer and wine tasting tickets will be $5 for three samples and are available exclusively at the event (cash only; must be at least 21 years old with a valid ID).
 
The Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest will also feature free family-friendly activities and entertainment, including face painting, balloon artists, inflatables and music from a DJ.
 
The 2019 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will take place Thursday, March 7 through Monday, March 11. The tournament champions each earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.
 
All-session and individual session passes are currently on-sale for the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. Flex ticket packages may also be purchased at the arena box office, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.
 
Sponsors of the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest include Hannaford Supermarkets, New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), SEFCU, Saratoga Eagle, Dunkin’, AYCO, Pioneer Bank, Albany Capital Center, Total Events, ESPN 104.5 WTMM and NewsChannel 13.
 
For more information about the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest, visit www.albanyfanfest.com.
 
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CONTACT:
Mark Bardack or Levi Pascher
Ed Lewi Associates
P: (518) 383-6183
E: mbardack@edlewi.com or lpascher@edlewi.com

ALBANY, NY; Tuesday, February 5, 2019 – Capital Region sports fans will celebrate the return of championship collegiate basketball with two exciting fan festivals in downtown Albany this March: the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest and the Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest.
 
Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest on Monday, March 11
 
The fourth annual Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest, the official fan festival of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, will take place on Monday, March 11 at the Albany Capital Center from 4 to 8 p.m.
 
The event, which invites fans to enjoy gourmet mac-n-cheese tastings from local restaurants and craft beer and wine at the Saratoga Eagle Craft Beer Garden, will be part of Championship Monday. It will follow the MAAC Women’s Basketball Championship at 2:30 p.m. and take place prior to the MAAC Men’s Basketball Championship which tips off at 9 p.m. Both games will be held at the Times Union Center, which is connected by walkway to the Albany Capital Center.
 
“Hannaford is excited to once again be a part of this outstanding event, which serves as the signature fan attraction of the MAAC Basketball Championships in downtown Albany,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Community Relations Specialist Brian Fabre. “We encourage both basketball and mac-n-cheese fans to save the date for a fun evening to kick off the tournament.”
 
Tickets for the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest will be available beginning Friday, February 15 at www.albanyfanfest.com. Fans can save $2 per set of sampling tickets with advance purchase. Tickets purchased in advance are $8 and entitle guests to five samples of mac-n-cheese. Tasting tickets will also be available at the door for $10 (cash only).
 
Craft beer and wine tasting tickets will be $5 for three samples and are available exclusively at the event (cash only; must be at least 21 years old with a valid ID).
 
The 2019 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will take place Thursday, March 7 through Monday, March 11. The tournament champions each earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.
 
All-session and individual session passes are currently on-sale for the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. Flex ticket packages may also be purchased at the arena box office, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.
 
Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest on Friday, March 29
 
The basketball madness will continue with the Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest on Friday, March 29 at the Albany Capital Center from 3 to 6:30 p.m. The event will be held in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Albany Regional, which will include some of the best collegiate women’s basketball teams in the country at the Times Union Center.
 
The signature element of the Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest is the all-new Taste of Albany, featuring approximately one dozen local restaurants serving their top creations. The afternoon will also offer local beer, wine, cider and spirits for sampling from Saratoga Eagle.
 
The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Albany Regional will get underway on Friday, March 29 with matchups at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The winners will face each other in the Albany Regional Final on Sunday, March 31 at noon. The winner of the Albany Regional will advance to the Final Four of the women’s division.
 
Tickets to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Albany Regional can be purchased online by visiting ncaa.com/WBBTickets.
 
Both the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest and the Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest will feature free family-friendly activities and entertainment, including face painting, balloon artists, inflatables and music from a DJ.
 
Sponsors of the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest and Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest include Hannaford Supermarkets, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, SEFCU, Saratoga Eagle, Dunkin’, AYCO, Pioneer Bank and the Albany Capital Center.
 
For more information about the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest and the Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest, visit www.albanyfanfest.com.