ALBANY, N.Y.- The NCAA has awarded the 2015 Division I Women's Basketball East Regional and the 2016 Division I Men's Ice Hockey East Regional championships to the SMG managed, Times Union Center.

"The opportunity to host two nationally recognized sports competitions at the Times Union Center is great news for the Albany community," Governor Cuomo said. "These championships draw the attention of sports fans from across the country and will attract a significant number of visitors to the region, supporting economic growth throughout the Capital District. I offer my congratulations to the Times Union Center for this well-deserved honor, and look forward to seeing some of the best college athletes in men's ice hockey and women's basketball face off in the coming years."

 "What an exciting day to be selected to host not one but two NCAA Division 1 East Regional Finals. This is a testament to what a terrific facility the Times Union Center is and what a strong and central location Albany County is to host world class competitions. Fan support is a huge attraction. Congratulations to Bob Belber, his staff and Albany County for a big win!" - Albany County Executive Dan McCoy

 "I applaud the efforts of Bob Belber and his team at the Times Union Center for securing two NCAA Division I sporting events, including the 2015 Women's East Regional Basketball championship, and the 2016 Men's Ice Hockey Eastern Regional. Sports fans of the Capital Region will, once again, have the opportunity to witness championship-caliber athletic competition in the beautiful Times Union Center. In addition, hotels, restaurants, bars, and other businesses will benefit from increased foot traffic, as fans of women's basketball and men's ice hockey visit our great Capital City. I am confident that as our downtown vision plan comes to fruition, even more NCAA events will consider Albany and the Times Union center for future championships. Congratulations to all!" - Mayor Gerald Jennings

 The 2015 Division I Women's Basketball East Region Championship will be hosted at the Times Union Center by the MAAC and Siena college. This is the first time that NCAA Women's Basketball will be held in Albany.

"The MAAC membership is pleased that it has been selected to co-host with Siena College the 2015 NCAA Women's Basketball Regional at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY," notes Richard Ensor, Commissioner of the MAAC. "This will be the third time the MAAC has hosted the Regional and it is committed to providing the NCAA, its student-athletes, coaches and fans with a premier event. The MAAC bid reflects its commitment to Albany and the Times Union Center to host NCAA Championships in the arena."

 "We are honored to have been chosen to host both the 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball East Regional and the 2016 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey East Regional Championships. The Times Union Center takes great pride in its history with the NCAA and the events that we have been fortunate enough to host in the past," said Bob Belber, SMG General Manager of Times Union Center. "It has always been and will continue to be our goal to ensure that the student-athletes and their fans have the championship experience that they worked so hard to achieve. We are very excited and look forward to 2015 and 2016."

The 2016 Division I Men's Ice Hockey East Region Championship will be hosted at the Times Union Center by the ECAC Hockey League, RPI and Union. The Times Union Center has a rich history with NCAA Hockey, hosting the first and second rounds in 1992, the East Region in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, and the 2001 Frozen Four.

"We are very honored to have the opportunity to host the NCAA East Regional along with RPI, Union and the Times Union Center staff. We look forward to putting on a first-class event for the participants and fans," said Steve Hagwell, Commissioner, ECAC Hockey League.

"We're excited to have the NCAA Regional's in Albany. It's a great opportunity for the entire capital district to see great hockey in the Capital Region. I know, as always, the Capital District will support the event and it will be a great experience for the student athletes." - Jim Knowlton, Director of Athletics, RPI

Both the Women's Basketball and the Men's Hockey are expected to bring a number of guest from outside the capital region which will have a tremendous economic impact on the area. These fans will be treated to all that Albany has to offer.

"Albany has a long and successful history with hosting NCAA events, I know this will continue when we host the Women's Basketball tournament in 2015 and the Men's Hockey tournament in 2016," states Michele Vennard, President/CEO of the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"On behalf of the Sports Foundation of the Capital Region, I would like to thank the NCAA for showing the confidence in our region to host these great events. We will be sure to provide all of our guests with a first class experience whether they are in the arena, at our Fan Festival or around our communities. We look forward to welcoming everyone to New York's Capital Region." - Brian Akley, Co-Chair, Capital Region Sports Foundation.

Bidding for 82 of 89 NCAA championships began in July and 1,984 bid applications were ultimately submitted. Each sport committee, per division, selected the host sites it believed would provide the ultimate experience for the respective student-athletes, resulting in 523 total championship event sites awarded. For more information on all of the NCAA championship sites awarded, log on to www.ncaa.com/site-selections.

Related Link: http://www.smgworld.com