MEAC Tournament Releases Survey Results from Last Year

[Raleigh, NC] – The vast majority of attendees at the 2006 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Basketball Tournament plans to return in 2007 and would recommend friends and family come with them, according to a survey results released today.

Of the approximately 600 fans surveyed during the tournament, 91% planned to return to the tournament in 2007. Even more, a full 96% of respondents would recommend the tournament to family and friends.

“This is an overwhelming response in terms of fan approval of the tournament, its new format and new location at the RBC Center,” said Dr. Dennis Thomas, MEAC Commissioner. “We clearly now have a network of thousands of folks out there telling their friends that the MEAC Tournament in Raleigh-Wake County is the place to be in early March.”
52% of fans surveyed during the games reported attending pre-game events, such as High School Day, the Tom Joyner Sky Show, the Career Expo or the Fashion Show. 53% of fans surveyed reported attending post-game events, such as the Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary Concert, the Comedy Show, the Greek Step Show and After Party, the Old School Alumni Party, Showtime at the Apollo, and more.
67% of respondents were alumni of one of the eleven MEAC schools. North Carolina A&T State University Aggies edged out Pirates fans of Hampton University and Spartans fans of Norfolk State in terms of most represented alumni. According to the survey, 61% of attendees are male, and over 55% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

About 600 participants voluntarily filled out the one-page questionnaire at the RBC Center. The study was limited to fans 18 years old and above.
About the MEAC Basketball Tournament
The MEAC is a Division I basketball program comprised of 11 historically black colleges and universities located across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman College, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and South Carolina State University.

The men’s and women’s basketball tournament will be played in Raleigh at least through 2008. Both the men’s and women’s tournament winner receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

CONTACT: Jim Tobin
August 28, 2006 919-719-8982

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