Hartford, CT,
(October 28, 2009)
--- The America East Conference, the University of Hartford and Newman's Own,
Inc. announced today that Newman's Own, Inc. will serve as the title sponsor of
the 2010 America East Men's and Women's Basketball Championship, slated for
March 4-7, 2010 at the University of Hartford.
It is the first time in conference history that the men's and women's
tournament will be combined at the same venue.
"We
are proud to welcome Newman's Own to the America East team as the title sponsor
of our basketball championship," said Patrick Nero, commissioner of America
East. "Newman's Own is the perfect partner for America East. We ask our
student-athletes to be champions not only in academics and athletics, but in
leadership as well. Newman's Own, with its commitment to community and philanthropy,
consistently demonstrates the highest standards of true leadership."
The
Championship trio of America East, University
of Hartford and Newman's
Own, Inc. will announce a plan later this year that will further cultivate the
principles of community service, education and leadership among students from
the nine conference campuses.
Newman's
Own, Inc. will also add a new item to the concession menu at the host
institution's Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion at the University of Hartford in 2010: Newman's Own Thin & Crispy Crust frozen
pizza, a successful addition to the company's portfolio.
"Pizza
and basketball is a natural combination and so is this terrific partnership
with the University of Hartford, the America East Conference and Newman's Own,"
according to Mike Havard, vice president, marketing at Newman's Own, Inc. "Consistent
with our mission and the shared values of the partners, we look forward to working
together on community service and leadership initiatives that will support and empower
students to make a difference."
Last
season more than 35,000 fans attended the men's and women's basketball
championships in Albany, NY and West Hartford, CT. This year's championship
planners at the University
of Hartford anticipate large
crowds at the Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.
"The
Championship is our opportunity to showcase not only the America East
Conference but two Connecticut treasures, the University of Hartford
and Newman's Own, said Pat Meiser, director of athletics at the University of Hartford. "Inherent in our missions is to enrich the
lives of others and staging the Championship in partnership with the America
East is a wonderful way to reinforce that ideal. Bringing fans from eight geographic regions
and six states throughout the northeast also gives us a chance to impact the
local economy and show off the best the Greater Hartford region has to offer."
# # #
About
America
East
Since
its beginning as a men's basketball conference in 1979, America East has
evolved into one of the most comprehensive NCAA Division I conferences with 20
championship sports serving more than 3,000 student-athletes. Supporting the
missions of its nine member institutions - Albany, Binghamton, Boston
University, Hartford, Maine, UMBC, New Hampshire, Stony Brook and Vermont -
America East is committed to developing champions in academics, athletics and
leadership.
About
University of Hartford
Chartered in 1957 with the mission to be a "private
university with a public purpose," the University of Hartford
offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in the arts, the
humanities, business, engineering and technology, education, and the health
professions. The University's student body of 7,300 represents 45 states and
more than 50 countries. For more information, visit www.hartford.edu. The University of
Hartford Department of Athletics is a Division I-AAA Institution and a member
of the America East Conference. Division I competition in all sports began in
1984-85. The University sponsors 18 varsity programs, nine men (Baseball,
Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, and Track &
Field) and nine women (Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball,
Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball). The Hawks have won conference
championships in seven sports: women's basketball (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007,
2008), men's soccer (1991, 1992, 1996, 1999), women's soccer (1991, 1992, 1993,
1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2006), men's golf (1988-95, 2001-02, 2004,
2006-07), men's tennis (1990, 1991, 1995, 2002), women's golf (2005) and
women's volleyball (1993).
About
Newman's Own, Inc.
Newman's
Own ®, Inc. founded by Paul Newman and his buddy A. E. Hotchner in 1982, is a
successful and growing premium food business. Newman's Own offers more than 100
varieties of delicious all-natural food and beverage products, which include
salad dressings, pasta sauces, salsa, popcorn, lemonade, and thin & crispy
frozen pizza. Based in Westport, CT,
the charitable mission of Newman's Own®, Inc. was expressed by Paul in the
Company motto: "Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the Common Good." Newman's
Own Foundation continues Paul Newman's commitment to donate all profits to
charity. More than $280 million has been
given to thousands of charities since 1982.
Visit
www.newmansown.com for the nearest
retailer/s that carry Newman's Own products and for recipe suggestions using
Newman's Own®, Inc. products. Learn more about our mission at www.newmansownfoundation.org.