June 26, 2002

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Both Siena's men's and women's basketball teams again broke program regular-season attendance marks this past season (2001-2002), and each found themselves well represented in the NCAA's recently released annual attendance report as well. An average of 6,589 fans attended each men's basketball regular-season game this season-80th nationally, while 1,667 fans came out for each women's contest-71st nationally.

"It is testament to our loyal fan base and the success of our programs that we continue to establish new heights in attendance," Director of Athletics John D'Argenio said. "We strive to provide the people in the Capital Region with an entertaining team and a successful program, and are pleased that people have accepted Siena basketball and made it the region's top sporting event."

The Siena women easily surpassed their pervious attendance mark, as a conference-best 21,667 people attended the 13 home women's games.

On the men's side, 85,651 fans passed through the turnstiles with a season-high 10,285 attending the regular-season opener against Albany (11/27). The men have had at least 5,000 fans in attendance for 50 consecutive games.

The MAAC average attendance for the 2001-2002 men's basketball season was 2,390 per game-22nd in the nation out of 31 conferences. The conference's average women's basketball attendance was 701-21st in the nation.

The Saints had an average of 6,401 (83,213 total) attend their 13 home contests in 2000-2001 (83rd nationally) and in 1999-2000, 80,062 people turned out for Siena men's basketball home games (83rd nationally). In 1998-99, Siena ranked 84th in the nation with 82,320 fans attending the 13 games at Pepsi Arena, an average of 6,332 per contest.

Siena's jump in attendance mirrored the national trend as a record 29,295,240 fans attended Division I men's basketball games in 2001-2002.