Sept. 12, 2002
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Nine different conferences are represented on the 2002-03 Fairfield University men's schedule, namely the Atlantic Coast, Big East, Conference USA, Ivy League, Atlantic 10, Colonial Athletic, Big South and Patriot League conference in addition to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Plus, the Stags will have a 14-game home slate this year at the 9,500-seat Arena at Harbor Yard.
The non-conference portion of the schedule includes four 20-game winners a year ago - Duke University (29-3), UNC-Wilimington (22-9), St. John's University (20-11) and Yale University (20-10). Ten of Fairfield's 18 opponents had a winning record and combined for a 276-259 overall record, a .516 winning percentage.
"Our goal is to schedule quality opponents who will challenge us each time we take the floor," Head Coach Tim O'Toole said. "I believe we accomplished that goal once again this season. We are very excited about playing 14 home games this year, especially with a facility like the Arena at Harbor Yard."
Fairfield opens the 2002-03 season with four straight home games, including a season-opener against Harvard University on November 22. Big East foe St. John's University (November 30) and Colonial Athletic champion UNC-Wilmington (December 2) are next on the list, before the Stags open their MAAC season against Iona College (December 5).
The schedule also includes a key intra-state game with Yale University on January 5, which advanced to the second-round of the NIT last year. Four opponents on this year's schedule advanced to the NCAA tournament - Duke, St. John's, Siena and UNC-Wilmington.
Season tickets are currently on sale, and can be purchased by calling the Fairfield University ticket office at (203) 254-4103. Also, fans have the option of purchasing season tickets online at www.fairfieldstags.com.
2002-03 Fairfield University Men's Basketball Schedule November 22 Harvard University 9:00 PM November 30 St. John's University 7:30 PM December 2 UNC-Wilmington 7:30 PM December 5 Iona College 7:30 PM December 7 at DePaul University 2:00 PM EST December 10 at Marist College 7:30 PM December 22 American University 1:30 PM December 28 at Fordham University 1:00 PM December 30 at Charleston Southern U. 7:30 PM January 2 at Duke University 3:30 PM January 5 Yale University 1:30 PM January 8 Loyola College 7:30 PM January 11 at Rider University TBA January 14 at Canisius College TBA January 18 at Iona College 7:30 PM January 20 at Siena College 7:30 PM January 23 Manhattan College 7:30 PM January 26 Saint Peter's College 1:30 PM January 30 Siena College 7:30 PM February 6 Canisius College 7:30 PM February 9 Niagara University 1:30 PM February 13 at Manhattan College 7:30 PM February 15 Marist College 3:30 PM February 17 Rider University 4:00 PM February 22 at Niagara University 4:00 PM February 26 at Saint Peter's College TBA March 1 at Loyola College 7:00 PM March 7-10 at MAAC Tournament (Trenton, N.J.)
