The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference set an attendance record for the 2009 Citizens Bank Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. The March 5-9 event drew a record 50,820 people, breaking the 2000 record of 50,620.

Siena won the men’s tournament and Marist took the women’s title at the Times Union Center.

“It is interesting to note that no single game set a record for attendance; rather, each of the individual men’s and women’s sessions increased incrementally to establish the new overall record,” said MAAC Commissioner Richard Ensor. 

Ensor pointed out that the record was especially meaningful in light of the economic downturn. The conference and Times Union Center staff developed several marketing tools and promotions to encourage people to attend the games.

“Siena pride continues to thrive today more than ever and the record breaking ticket sales are evidence of this,” said Kevin Mullen, Siena’s president. “People are still choosing to come out and support the Saints even in these trying economic times. The Siena community itself had a strong showing at the MAAC championship game, with one-third of our students in attendance, as well as about one-third of our faculty and staff.”

The Times Union Center will host the MAAC tournaments again in 2010.