March Madness returns to the Carrier Dome this spring when Syracuse University hosts the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional on Thursday, March 25 and Saturday, March 27 in the Carrier Dome. Syracuse has hosted the Regional Championship in 1983, 1987, 2000, 2002 and 2005, as well as the first and second rounds in 1986 and 1993. The eventual national champion’s road to the Final Four came through the Carrier Dome the last two times it hosted the event.

During the tournament, normal free bus service from the Connective Corridor on routes 443/543 will be provided between Downtown Syracuse and SU. However, due to increased demand during the tourney …

• On March 25, extra shuttles supplied by private contractors will provide transportation between downtown and the Carrier Dome.
• On March 27 extra Centro buses will provide tournament transportation.

The drop off and pick up location for the NCAA shuttles will be on Fayette St. Franklin St. and Fayette St./Clinton St. intersections (shuttle stops will be fully sign-posted). The Connective Corridor stops will be as normal. Convention & Visitors Bureau volunteers will be wearing bright orange jackets and/or carrying “?” signs to help visitors get to and from the Carrier Dome.

Help Syracuse get ready for the NCAA’s by participating in a Spring Cleanup!

On Saturday March 20, the Downtown Committee of Syracuse is organizing a Spring Cleanup event in downtown Syracuse.

On March 25 and 27, Syracuse will host the NCAA tournament East Regional finals. Thousands of visitors will be visiting downtown Syracuse and the University Hill area, so the committee would like to make sure to put the city’s best foot forward. To get ready for the event, the committee is assembling volunteer crews that will be dispatched throughout the downtown and the Hill to pick up litter and debris that has been hidden by the snow over the winter. Volunteers will be provided with gloves, trash bags, and lunch afterwards. Volunteers are able to start work anytime between 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. We plan to wrap up the event by 12:30 p.m. with lunch.

If would like to volunteer, please email lromeo@downtownsyracuse.com by March 18.

Can’t get to the Dome? During the East Regionals, local tourney updates can be found by texting “DOME” to 24587.

For more information on the Connective Corridor Weekend Schedule for Routes 443 and 543, and for regular Connective Corridor bus schedules, click here to download schedules and route maps.

For more information about local restaurants, services, and directions, please click here.