July 6, 2006

The NCAA's Division I Men's Basketball Committee announced Thursday that Boston College will serve as host for a regional round of the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The event, to be held March 26-28, 2009 at the TD Banknorth Garden, will mark the first men's basketball regional to be held in Boston. BC had previously served as host for men's basketball first- and second-round games in 1999 and 2003.

"We are extremely excited and proud that the NCAA has selected BC as the host institution for a men's basketball regional," Director of Athletics Gene DeFilippo says. "We are grateful to Mayor Menino and his staff, the staff of the TD Banknorth Garden and the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau for their support in submitting the bid."

A total of 56 cities and member institutions submitted bids for 22 available positions; two (Indianapolis in 2009 and Houston in 2010) were pre-determined because cities host a regional the year prior to hosting a Final Four. In all, the committee named 24 cities and member institutions that will serve as hosts to first- and second-round and regional games for the 2009 and 2010 championships.

"The committee is pleased with the high level of interest cities, institutions and conferences across the country have shown in serving as hosts to our championship," said Craig Littlepage, Director of Athletics at the University of Virginia and chair of the Division I Men's Basketball Committee. "This championship continues to grow in popularity among fans of all ages and areas of the country. That interest translates into unequalled energy in the host venues, which are sold out every year."

The city of Dayton, Ohio, which has hosted the opening round game since its inception in 2001, will continue to be the site for the tournament's first game through 2010. In addition, Dayton was selected to host first- and second-round games for the 2009 championship. Other cities hosting games on the first weekend of the 2009 tournament include Philadelphia, Miami, Greensboro, N.C., Minneapolis, Kansas City, Spokane, Wash., and Portland. In addition to Boston, the 2009 regionals will take place in Memphis, Indianapolis and Glendale, Ariz.

The first and second rounds of the 2010 championship will be played in Buffalo, Providence, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, San Jose and Boise. The four regional sites are Syracuse, St. Louis, Salt Lake City and Houston, which will serve as host for the 2011 Final Four.