Nassau Coliseum a possibility for MAAC tournament

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference might be bringing its championship tournament to Nassau Coliseum for three consecutive years beginning in 2020.

As the venue was gearing up to host a triple-header of regular season games in January, officials from the MAAC and Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, which oversees operations at the Coliseum, confirmed that it was one of three possible location for the five-day men’s and women’s basketball tournament.

“We want this tournament. It fits in here,” said Don Clavin, the Town of Hempstead receiver of taxes. On March 28, Clavin joined with business leaders, town and county officials and community members outside of Borelli’s, in East Meadow, to urge the MAAC Council of Presidents to choose Nassau Coliseum.

As an alumnus of Canisius College, a MAAC-participating school, Clavin said that the prospect of the tournament being held at the Coliseum excites him on a personal level. However, the financial impact, he added, would be seen across the Town of Hempstead.

According to Clavin’s calculation, the MAAC tournament would generate over $1.6 million in “on-site” revenue each year. Attendees would also stay at local hotels and eat at nearby restaurants, amounting to a total of $5 million, including parking and concession prices.

“As a local business owner, I know the positive impact that a major basketball tournament will have on area business,” said Frank Borrelli, the owner of Borelli’s, adding that he has seen the economic impact of the Coliseum since it reopened last year.

If the Coliseum is chosen, Clavin pledged to involve the MAAC-participating schools with a mascot pep rally and alumni receptions. For fans, nearby restaurants would offer special deals and discounts. “We’re all gonna be rooting for different teams,” Clavin said, “But I’ll be rooting — most of all — for the MAAC Tournament to be held right here across the street.”

The MAAC Council of Presidents will make its decision in May and, in addition to the Coliseum, is deciding between Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall and the current site of Albany’s Times Union Center.

The MAAC includes Iona, Manhattan, Rider, Fairfeld, Quinnipiac, Monmouth, Siena, Canisius, Niagara, St. Peter’s and Marist. Its championship tournament is known to attract over 25,000 fans and features 20 men’s and women’s elimination-style games, two of which are nationally televised. The winning team earns an automatic bid into the Division I NCAA Tournament.