Nov. 20, 2009

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Madness Atlantic City style will once again take over the city that is Always Turned On when the Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Championship returns to Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall March 12-14, 2010. Basketball fans can purchase all-session tickets starting Friday, November 27, at Noon. Prices are $200 for gold, $100 for silver, and $75 for bronze.

Tickets may be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800-736-1420 or at ticketmaster.com. Fans interested in group sales or who wish to reserve seats in specific school sections can call 609-348-7021.

Starting in 2010, an exciting new format will be in place for the 34th annual Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Championship. The top 12 teams at the conclusion of the regular season will qualify for the Championship. First round games will be played on Tuesday, March 9, on the campuses of teams seeded #5, #6, #7, and #8. The setting for the 2010 Championship then shifts to Boardwalk Hall as the quarterfinal round commences at Noon on Friday, March 12. In what should prove to be popular with the Atlantic City community and A-10 fans traveling to the area, tip-off times for Saturday's semifinal action and Sunday's championship game are scheduled for 1:00pm.

"By booking all session tickets, not only will fans be privileged to experience the most exciting games of the A-10 Men's Basketball Championship, the revised time makes it more accessible to those who've always wanted to experience the games but never could because of scheduling conflicts," says Jeffrey Vasser, president of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. "And, what better place to catch all the action than at Boardwalk Hall, especially now that there is plenty of time to experience an `Always Turned On' Atlantic City after the games."

"The A-10 is looking forward to returning to Atlantic City and Boardwalk Hall this March," says A-10 commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade.

"The new weekend schedule of Friday, Saturday and Championship Sunday makes for a great sporting event for the teams and fans."

For more information about Boardwalk Hall or to download a map of the arena, visit www.boardwalkhall.com. To inquire about lodging, local transportation, recreation, dining and attractions please visit www.atlanticcitynj.com. Additional information about the Championship can be found at www.atlantic10.org. For those seeking room blocks during the A-10 Championship, assistance can be provided by calling the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority at 1-888-ACVISIT.

In 2009 for the second consecutive year, the Temple Owls earned a berth in the NCAA tournament as Atlantic 10 Champions with a 69-64 victory over the Duquesne Dukes. Dayton and Xavier also advanced to the NCAA, marking the 15th time in Conference history and sixth since 2000 that multiple A-10 teams earned at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament. In 2008 Temple defeated St. Joe's in a thrilling 69-64 showdown, and in the 2007 A-10 Boardwalk Hall debut the George Washington Colonials bested the Rhode Island Rams, 78-69. Temple seeks to become the first A-10 program to win three consecutive titles since Massachusetts won five straight from 1992-96. Vying for its first A-10 crown since 2003, Dayton is ranked in both the Associated Press and ESPU/USA Today polls and is led junior forward Chris Wright, a candidate for the prestigious Naismith and John R. Wooden Awards.

About the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA)
The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development. The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall. The Authority is the first in New Jersey to achieve Destination Marketing Accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association International. The Authority is among an elite group of 47 accredited convention and visitor bureaus throughout the United States. For complete Atlantic City information, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.

About Historic Boardwalk Hall
Historic Boardwalk Hall, which first opened in 1929, underwent a three year, $90 million renovation to transform the building into a modern special events arena capable of variable seating for up to 14,770 people. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, Boardwalk Hall's renovation produced a glimpse into the dramatic and original Roman Renaissance style, while providing a 21st century experience in terms of comfort and amenities. Upon it's reopening in 2001, it has been recognized as the destination's premier entertainment venue, known for high profile concerts, family shows, and sporting events. SMG manages the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall on behalf of its client, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. Visit us at www.boardwalkhall.com for more information.

About The Atlantic 10
The Atlantic 10 Conference was formed in 1975, is currently comprised of 14 member institutions and sponsors 21 championship sports. The mission and goal of the Atlantic 10 is to preserve, protect, and enhance the academic and athletic excellence of our members. The conference is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards and providing equitable championship experiences for more than 6,000 student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. Approaching the 35th anniversary in 2010-11, as a Division I Conference, we salute the outstanding members and leaders that have helped build the foundation of the Atlantic 10. The member institutions of the Atlantic 10 are the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, University of Massachusetts, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph's University, Saint Louis University, Temple University, and Xavier University.