NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – While Niagara and Siena Men’s Basketball fans may not have been permitted to attend games yet this season due to restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Purple Eagles and Saints supporters can get behind their favorite team as the programs look to “virtually” sell out their February 20 matchup inside of the Gallagher Center on ESPN3 or ESPN+.
Purple Eagles and Saints fans can purchase a virtual seat, row, or section, among other options, to the men’s basketball matchup between the squads set for Saturday, February 20 at the Gallagher Center in Niagara University, New York. All proceeds from the virtual sellout will directly benefit Niagara University and Siena College athletic departments.
Niagara and Siena have joined forces for this campaign in an effort to help offset the financial challenges incurred by both athletic departments over the past year due to the pandemic. COVID-19 forced the cancellation of key annual fundraising events, while also adding related necessary expenses to help keep student-athletes, coaches, and staff healthy and safe.
Fans who participate in the virtual sellout campaign by purchasing any one of five available packages will receive a commemorative ticket in addition to various other prizes and giveaways, while also being entered into a raffle for the opportunity to win official team gear, restaurant gift cards, and coupons, and tickets to a game during the 2021-22 season. Additionally, both schools will hold an exclusive pregame zoom call prior to tip-off, featuring special Niagara and Siena guests.
The capacity of the Gallagher Center is 2,100, and both programs need the support of their loyal Purple Eagles and Saints fans to “virtually” sell out the game. Niagara fans can support their Purple Eagles by purchasing virtual seats to support the Niagara athletics department and receive Niagara-specific prizes by logging onto www.purpleeagles.com/virtualsellout. Siena fans can support their Saints by purchasing virtual seats to support the Siena athletics department and receive Siena-specific prizes by logging onto www.sienasaints.com/virtualsellout.
Niagara and Siena have formed one of the Empire State’s best college basketball matchups spanning more than eight decades. The programs have battled 109 times throughout their respective storied histories, highlighted by a legendary six-overtime affair at the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany in 1953, and three MAAC Championship Game tilts (2002, 2007, 2009). The Purple Eagles and Saints have played memorable games at the Gallagher Center in front of passionate fan support for the Purple and White over the years.
Niagara fans can contact Deputy Director of Athletics Stephen Butler by e-mail at sbutler@niagara.edu or by phone at (716) 286-8602. For more information or questions on the virtual sell-out campaign, Siena fans can contact the Siena Fan Relations Management Center by e-mail at sienatickets2@siena.edu or by phone at (518) 487-2202.