There will not be a Siena/UAlbany basketball game this December.
UAlbany has just released their schedule for the upcoming basketball season and Siena is not on it.
UAlbany wants the game to be played on a rotating basis at their home court SEFCU Arena. The two sides cannot agree on that.
"While we fully understand the importance of the Albany Cup to the community, we also believe that in fairness to our student-athletes, campus, alumni and fans that this series, like virtually every other college basketball rivalry series, should be played on each team’s home court,” said UAlbany Director of Athletics, Mark Benson. “We will continue to have a dialogue with Siena in hopes of reaching a more equitable agreement.”
The rivalry game has traditionally drawn crowds in excess of 10,000 fans at the Times Union Center, which is Siena's home Court.
"We at Siena have always believed that the Albany Cup is an event for the entire Capital Region community," Vice President and Director of Athletics John D'Argenio stated. "Playing the game at the Times Union Center puts the game on the biggest stage in the region and provides the best venue for the most people to see the game. The opportunity to bring 10,000-plus people together to watch college basketball shines a bright light on the Capital Region across the country and demonstrates the area will embrace the sport. We think that is important for the area and the sport to annually play the game at Times Union Center. We are open to continuing the dialogue with UAlbany in ensuing years."
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