RENO, Nev. The University of Nevada has been selected to host the 2009 and 2010 Western Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, the conference announced Tuesday.
The university and the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) will play host to the tournaments at the 11,536-seat Lawlor Events Center, located on the university campus in Reno. The 2009 tournament will be played March 10-14, and the 2010 tournament will run from March 9-13.
“The WAC looks forward to returning its premier men's and women's event to Reno and the University of Nevada,” WAC Commissioner Karl Benson said. “The Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe area has become a favorite destination for fans from throughout the WAC.”
This will mark the third and fourth times that Nevada will serve as host to the WAC’s basketball tournaments with the event being held in Reno in 2005 and 2006. As a member of the Big West Conference, Nevada also served as the host of the conference tournament five years from 1996-2000.
“We are delighted to be awarded the 2009 and 2010 WAC Basketball Tournaments and to have the chance to partner with the RSCVA again in hosting this great event,” Nevada Director of Athletics Cary Groth said. “After the success of the WAC Basketball Tournaments in 2005 and 2006, we are excited to bring this premier sporting event back to our university and community and to be able to showcase all that this area has to offer to thousands of visitors.”
“The RSCVA team is thrilled to have successfully partnered with the University of Nevada to bring the WAC Championships back to Reno,” said RSCVA President and CEO Ellen Oppenheim. “We are proud to showcase the destination in 2009 and 2010 and look forward to showing players and fans why Reno-Tahoe is known as America's Adventure Place.”
The University of Nevada has played host to a total of 13 WAC Championships since joining the conference in 2001, including the volleyball tournament five times from 2002-06, basketball in 2005 and 2006, indoor track and field in 2001 and 2002, baseball in 2007, men’s golf in 2007, soccer in 2006 and women’s golf in 2001.
“I am extremely excited about the return of the WAC Tournament to the Reno-Sparks area. This community has shown its ability to be a great host of the event,” Wolf Pack men’s basketball head coach Mark Fox said. “I would like to thank the RSCVA and our university administration for their commitment to WAC basketball.”
“Having the WAC Basketball Tournament at the University of Nevada is exciting for our program, the University of Nevada, the Reno community and the WAC Conference,” Wolf Pack women’s basketball head coach Kim Gervasoni said. “I believe it is the perfect venue for such an event, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the WAC Basketball Championships once again.”
The RSCVA is the primary tourism agency, supporting convention and tourism business for the Reno-Tahoe region. Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place supports unlimited possibilities from outdoor recreation to 24-hour Nevada style gaming and entertainment.
For more information about Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place call 800-FOR-RENO (800-367-7366) or visit www.VisitRenoTahoe.com.
Press Conference Quotes - October 3, 2007
Nevada Director of Athletics Cary Groth:
“We were notified by WAC Commissioner Karl Benson that the University of Nevada and the RSCVA have been awarded the Western Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in 2009 and 2010. We are excited to have won the bid and that the WAC Basketball Tournament is going to be back in Reno.”
Groth on how this bid differs from the last time Nevada hosted the WAC basketball tournament in 2005 and 2006:
“This time it’s a partnership with the RSCVA and the University. We felt it was important to do this together.”
Groth on how Nevada will make this event successful:
“We have just over 9,000 ticket holders for men’s basketball, and the women’s basketball team continues to improve under head coach Kim Gervasoni, so the University of Nevada can guarantee a great atmosphere for the teams that come.”
Reno Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority President & CEO Ellen Oppenheim:
“The RSCVA is thrilled to have partnered to bring the WAC Championships back to Reno. This is a great event for fans and the visitors that are going to attend. Bringing the tournament back to Reno will bring thousands of fans to the area and these fans will stay in our hotels and take advantage of all that the Reno-Tahoe area has to offer.”
“I want to thank the University, especially the athletic department, the WAC and all of its member institutions as well as the fans who will come and make this event a success.”
Oppenheim on how hosting the WAC Basketball Tournament helps the Reno-Tahoe Area:
“In 2006, we sold 55,655 tickets for the tournament, but only a small portion of that number was local. This event will have a positive economic impact, and we will show visitors what Reno-Tahoe has to offer.”
