September 2, 2020
BIG EAST tournament to call Mohegan Sun home
Conference announces women's tournament will take place in Connecticut
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On Tuesday, the BIG EAST announced the 2021-23 conference tournaments will be held at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. WinTrust Arena, the home of DePaul University Women’s Basketball and the Chicago Sky, hosted the last three conference tournaments.
”We are very excited to bring one of the BIG EAST’s premier competitions to Mohegan Sun Arena, a one-of-a-kind facility that has long served as one of the best women’s basketball venues in the country,” said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman in the conference press release.
“We are proud to welcome the Huskies and their women’s basketball fans back into the BIG EAST fold, and we look forward to working with Amber Cox and her staff to deliver a memorable and first-class experience for our student-athletes, coaches and supporters.”
The BIG EAST Tournament returns to the east coast for the first time since former members Notre Dame defeated UConn to win the 2013 BIG EAST title. It was the first and last for the Fighting Irish who began competing in the ACC in the 2012-13 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament to Mohegan Sun Arena,” said Amber Cox, Vice President of the Connecticut Sun and the National Lacrosse League’s New England Black Wolves. “Connecticut is the women’s basketball capital of the world, with the most passionate fans in the country, supporting both the UConn Huskies and the Sun year-round. This marquee event is sure to be a highlight for all BIG EAST fans, who will not only get to enjoy incredible basketball action, but all the entertainment offerings of Mohegan Sun as well.”
Mohegan Sun Arena is located in the heart of the casino by the same name. It sits 10,000-seat venue and been home to the Connecticut Sun since 2003. WinTrust has a slightly larger capacity, at 10,387.
Prior to the realignment that moved the conference tournament to Illinois, the BIG EAST led the nation in conference tournament attendance for the nine of its 10 seasons at XL Center (16,294 capacity) in Hartford, Conn.
“We have the best women’s basketball fans in the nation in Connecticut and they’ll be excited to see UConn back in the BIG EAST,” said UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, who has led UConn to 18 BIG EAST conference titles.
His excitement came with caution apropos of the times. “Continue wearing masks and taking necessary health and safety precautions so this tournament can take place in 2021.”
