The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is recruiting students from the college’s Sport Administration Program to conduct an economic impact study during the 2019 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. Under the agreement, Canisius students will develop a survey instrument and conduct an in-person collection of data at the event, being held at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY February 27 – March 4. MAAC representatives are interested in obtaining feedback relevant to the future Atlantic City site, the desirability of the new venue, travel packages and how sports gambling may impact fan interest in attending. For completing the entire project, Canisius will receive a $2,000 grant as well as reimbursement for travel related to the project.
This is the third consecutive year that the MAAC has recruited students from the Sport Administration Program to conduct an economic impact study. The 2018 findings were presented to the MAAC Council of Presidents which commented on the “high level of professionalism demonstrated by the Canisius students conducting fan surveys.” The results of the 2018 findings were also used in the 2020-2022 MAAC Basketball Championships bid process.
Submitted by: Shawn O’Rourke, director, Sport Administration and Institute Research in Sport