UConn basketball fans. (File Photo/The Daily Campus)
The No. 2 seed UConn women’s basketball team will take on No. 6 UCLA Friday at 7 p.m. in Albany. If you are traveling to the game and looking for something to do, there will be a Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest before the game.
“Last year, Albany hit it out of the park as the host of the Regional Round of the Women’s College Basketball tournament and we expect this year to be another slam dunk based on ticket sales and enthusiasm within the community,” MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor, who is a member of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, said.
“The Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest at the Albany Capital Center will be the perfect pre-game activity for local fans as well as those traveling in from out of town as they prepare to witness some great college basketball action,” Ensor said.
The celebration will take place in the Albany Capital Center from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Admission into Fan Fest is free, but you can purchase your tickets for food, wine, cider and craft beer tastings at www.albanyfanfest.com. If you purchase your tickets ahead of time, it is $8. Tickets at the door cost $10 and can only be paid in cash.
Some of the sampling opportunities are highlighted by restaurants in Albany County. This includes, 677 Prime; Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen; Black and Blue Steak and Crab; Cider Belly Doughnuts; City Beer Hall; Iron Gate Café; Public House 42; Valente’s Restaurant; Vintage House and Wellington’s.
In addition to sampling opportunities, there will be family-friendly entertainment, such as face painting, balloon artists, inflatables and college pep bands.
“Ticket sales for this year’s tournament are trending significantly ahead of last year’s pace when the Times Union Center welcomed more than 10,000 fans for each session of the Women’s College Basketball Albany Regional,” Times Union Center General Manager Bob Belber said.
If the Huskies defeat UCLA, they will play the winner of the Louisville/Oregon State game on Sunday at noon. The winner of that Elite Eight matchup will punch their ticket to the Final Four in Tampa.
Michael Logan is the sports editor for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at michael.logan@uconn.edu.
