The Last Goodnight Scheduled to Perform Following Championship Game

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Paul Dionne, Marketing Manager
MassMutual Center
Office: 413.271.3209 Cell: 413.829.1976
Email: pdionne@massconvention.com

SPRINGFIELD SET TO LAUNCH 2008 NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Announcement of National Musical Act, Economic Impact Projections and Unveiling of Giant Banner Stretching From Roof to Sidewalk of MassMutual Center to Begin Countdown

What: The 2008 NCAA Elite Eight Men’s Basketball Championship will officially ‘tip-off’ by unveiling the identity of a national recording artist who will perform following the Championship game, presenting expected economic impact benefits, and announcing tickets are on-sale with the unveiling of a giant Championship banner at the MassMutual Center. 2008 Championship games are slated for March 26 (quarterfinals) 27 (semifinals) and March 29 (Championship game) at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield.

When: Thursday, February 14th at 10:00 am

Where: MassMutual Center, Main Street, Springfield

Who: Mayor Sarno of Springfield and members of the basketball teams from American International College, the NCAA host institution, will be on the roof of the MassMutual Center to unveil the banner.

Immediately following, a brief presentation by local organizers will highlight exciting new plans for the 2008 Championship, including a concert featuring a national recording act, an expanded Championship day FanFest, new downtown activities, expected economic impact and more.

Background: The Championship Committee of Greater Springfield successfully bid to have the Championship to return to Springfield and the new MassMutual Center from 2006 until 2009. The 2007 event held in Springfield was an undeniable success, with over 15,000 spectators attending the games, thousands of hotel rooms filled by out of town visitors and significant national media exposure garnered for the city and the MassMutual Center. Prior to its return in 2006, Springfield successfully hosted the event from 1980-1994.



################

Wednesday, March 05, 2008