AAC Tournament Officially at Mohegan Sun

[Wally East]

From John Altavilla's blog:

The American Athletic Conference has reached an agreement with the Mohegan Sun Arena to play its inaugural postseason women’s basketball tournament at the casino site in March 2014.

The tournament will be held March 7-10 at the casino site. The deal is for one year with a conference option for the 2015 championship.

Also, conference play will be a double round-robin -- home and away with every team.

ETA: Would one expect the conference to move its office from Providence at some point?

 

[EricLA]

Good stuff. Will be fun and interesting to see the tourney from there. I've come back to CT every BET for years now and have never been to the Mohegan arena. I guess they will need to alter the court a bit since it currently has the Sun logo on it and what not... And what are they going to do without out the red headed goofball who does the PA in Hartford? If i never have to hear "oooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeee shot" again I'll be a happy camper!! And let's hope we NEVER have to choose again between chocolate and peanut butter. That used to stress me out contemplating the choice...

 

[meyers7]

Sounds great.

 

[Sargassoc]

Well, I prefer Hartford for its central location-- but at least everyone will have a ton of restaurant choices at the casino (though I've had some awful food there).

 

[Wally East]

Oooh. Altavilla says no "travel partners" for scheduling, which is to say teams won't visit the Florida schools on one swing.

I don't love that.

 

[meyers7]

Oooh. Altavilla says no "travel partners" for scheduling, which is to say teams won't visit the Florida schools on one swing.

I don't love that.

I was assuming that's what they meant. And I agree, not liking it.

But then again, it might keep them away too long at at time during school???? Of course if they made one a weekend game??? IDK.

 

[pppggg]

I am betting (pun intended) that the SUN will go all out to make this event a big success for all parties-teams, officials and fans.

 

[Vicki]

Good stuff. Will be fun and interesting to see the tourney from there. I've come back to CT every BET for years now and have never been to the Mohegan arena. I guess they will need to alter the court a bit since it currently has the Sun logo on it and what not... And what are they going to do without out the red headed goofball who does the PA in Hartford? If i never have to hear "oooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeee shot" again I'll be a happy camper!! And let's hope we NEVER have to choose again between chocolate and peanut butter. That used to stress me out contemplating the choice...

I could not agree more with having a new announcer...he has driven me nuts for YEARS! His schitch gets old! Made some reservations already off site; I'm sure staying on site will not be affordable.

 

[Kibitzer]

Permit me to raise a POSSIBLE red flag, and that is seating arrangements for handicapped people. I admit to having been to the Mohegan Sun Arena only once, for a Sun game. I was the guest of a friend who graciously provided tickets in good seats. Being wheelchair bound (as are millions of Americans), I could not access my ticketed seat, so a manager kindly guided me to the level where the TV cameras were so I had a great view of the proceedings. But I saw no HP seating during my visit. It is POSSIBLE (Sun fans, please verify or correct me!) that the Mohegan Sun Arena, not bound by Federal law, may not feel compelled either legally or morally to provide such an amenity for folks with mobility issues -- as is done at Gampel and the XL Center. If I am mistaken, I apologize for raising the issue. If I am correct, I would hope that the new AAC has made some contractual provision that would require the Mohegan Sun Arena to attend to this matter, consistent with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, if I am correct, I must wonder about the WNBA and the Connecticut Sun. Once again, ONLY IF my limited experience has led me to accurate conclusions. Knowledgeable Sun fans, help me out. Verify or call me out, please.

 

[DavidinNaples]

kibitzer....what a thoughtful and gentle way to discuss this important topic.... good for you for inquiring so politely. I'm sure someone on BY will give a complete answer...good job!

 

[meyers7]

Permit me to raise a POSSIBLE red flag, and that is seating arrangements for handicapped people.

Sounds like they do, but one would have to actually experience it to see how well they do.

http://mohegansun.com/getting-here/special-needs-access.html

 

[Kibitzer]

Sounds like they do, but one would have to actually experience it to see how well they do.

http://mohegansun.com/getting-here/special-needs-access.html

I will absolutely vouch for the abundance of HP parking spaces outside and for the ramps at the restaurant where we ate. I have no reason to question any statements in your link. And I have only been to the arena once and my focus was on seeing a game, not touring the arena or taking inventory of HP seating. So I could be mistaken, not for the first or last time.

But neither my wife nor I saw any HP seating space IN THE ARENA on that one visit there. I hope someone with more experience and a sharper eye will either verify my observation or put me in my HP place.

 

[meyers7]

I will absolutely vouch for the abundance of HP parking spaces outside and for the ramps at the restaurant where we ate. I have no reason to question any statements in your link. And I have only been to the arena once and my focus was on seeing a game, not touring the arena or taking inventory of HP seating. So I could be mistaken, not for the first or last time.

But neither my wife nor I saw any HP seating space IN THE ARENA on that one visit there. I hope someone with more experience and a sharper eye will either verify my observation or put me in my HP place.

I've been in there a couple times, but I wasn't looking for HP seating at the time. It was for concerts too, so it wasn't set up for basketball. I guess best thing is to call them. ??

 

[DavidinNaples]

kib...I found this description of where and how to get seats on a Mohegan web site...
ADA and Special Needs Seating
Guests requiring special seating, such as for wheelchairs, semi-ambulatory or other mobility impairments, hearing impaired, or the like, can be purchased in person at the Pennstar Box Office, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or by selecting the appropriate icon on ticketmaster.com.

Please click on the link below for policies and procedures regarding online ticket purchases.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/h/help.html?tm_link=tm_home_a_help
Wheelchair seating is located in row "S" of the lower level (100) level sections. Row "S" is located on the concourse level and does not involve any stairs. The elevator only services the floor and suite level. The only way to get to the second level (200) level is via stairs. Those persons with limited mobility, but not complete restrictions are ask to purchase seating in row "Q" or row "R" of the lower level. There are about 5 stairs to get to row R, Q is in front of that.

 

[Kibitzer]

kib...I found this description of where and how to get seats on a Mohegan web site...
ADA and Special Needs Seating
Guests requiring special seating, such as for wheelchairs, semi-ambulatory or other mobility impairments, hearing impaired, or the like, can be purchased in person at the Pennstar Box Office, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or by selecting the appropriate icon on ticketmaster.com.

Please click on the link below for policies and procedures regarding online ticket purchases.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/h/help.html?tm_link=tm_home_a_help
Wheelchair seating is located in row "S" of the lower level (100) level sections. Row "S" is located on the concourse level and does not involve any stairs. The elevator only services the floor and suite level. The only way to get to the second level (200) level is via stairs. Those persons with limited mobility, but not complete restrictions are ask to purchase seating in row "Q" or row "R" of the lower level. There are about 5 stairs to get to row R, Q is in front of that.

YAY!! I am a little embarrassed at raising a non-issue but absolutely delighted to know this and determined to be among the first (but maybe the oldest) to sign up to watch UConn win its first AAC Tournament Championships.

Thanks for your support and encouragement.

GO HUSKIES!

 

[Harry Mangurian]

Looking forward to the world's best chili at Michael Jordan's.

Glad the BET will be right down the block from me.

Beware of parking problems on weekends.
When the Arena is full on a weekend, they can also run out of spaces.