Memorial to host to 2011 Subway AUS Women's Basketball Championship


Championship coming to Memorial for second time in history


ST. JOHN’S - The Memorial University division of Athletics announced today that Memorial will play host to the 2011 Subway Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women’s basketball championship. The championship tournament will involve the top six teams in Atlantic Canada and will take place at the Field House at Memorial University from March 4-6, 2011.

It will be the second time Memorial has been the host university, having previously won the conference banner on their home court in 2003. It was in 2003 that an already developing Sea~Hawks versus Capers rivalry became firmly entrenched. Since that championship game either the Capers or Sea~Hawks have won the conference title, with each team taking four home banners apiece. Dating back to the 2000 championship game, Memorial has won six banners in eleven seasons.

Memorial’s director of Athletics, Michelle Healey, was very pleased to announce that playoff basketball was coming back to The Field House. She said, “I am very excited that we have another opportunity to host the AUS Subway Women's Basketball Championship. It's hard to believe that it has been eight years since we hosted this event last, as the feeling around the event is still very fresh. 2003 was an amazing weekend of women's basketball and the community really came out to support our team and the event.”

Memorial women’s basketball head coach Doug Partridge shared Healey’s excitement about the championship. He said, “It is going to be great hosting for a second time during my tenure here. The first experience was a great memory, with 2200 fans in the Field House for a classic championship game that really started our long rivalry with Cape Breton. We followed that up with a national bronze medal at home in 2007. I am anticipating that we will put on a great show in March for the local fans that have always supported us so well.”

Though the Sea~Hawks and Capers boast the most championships over the past ten seasons it will be a wide open tournament at the Field House in March. Several teams in the AUS were right in the mix for the title last season including Saint Mary’s, St. FX and Dalhousie while others, including Acadia, UNB and UPEI, will look to reestablish their competitiveness in hopes of making a playoff run.

Partridge remembers 2003 fondly, but he knows that the playoffs are a long journey away. He said, “We have to keep training hard as the competitiveness in the league keeps getting better and better. March is pretty far away right now, but knowing that we have a chance to compete for a banner on our home court is certainly a motivator.”

Healey also remembers the crowd support from 2003. She said, “I vividly recall walking in the Field House on championship Sunday and seeing our supporters wearing their Sea~Hawk red with pride. When we won a nail biter of a championship game I was proud, not only of the team, but also of the event that the committee delivered. I am looking forward to that same excitement again this time around.”

Tickets for the tournament will go on sale November 27 and 28, with Sea~Hawks season ticket holders getting first choice. Season tickets for the regular season are now on sale and can be purchased by contacting The Works at 864-3700. Tournament package information will be released on November 1st. The Sea~Hawks basketball season gets underway on November 6th at the Field House against the rival Capers. The women tip off at 6pm while the men tip off at 8pm.