STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will be the site for the 2014 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship.
The NCAA announced the selection on Thursday, Nov. 1. The national semifinals and national championship game will be played March 21-22, 2014, in Quandt Fieldhouse.
“This event will bring our university a tremendous level of regional and national exposure,” said Director of Athletics Daron Montgomery. “Hosting these championship games will be an opportunity for our entire university and community to roll out the red carpet to welcome dozens of student-athletes, four participating institutions, and hundreds of fans and visitors to Stevens Point.”
NCAA officials chose UW-Stevens Point for the championship site after reviewing several bids submitted by prospective host institutions. In 2012, the event was held at Hope College in Holland, Mich.), which will again serve as host in 2013 before the championship moves to Stevens Point in March 2014.
UW-Stevens Point's Quandt Fieldhouse was the site of NCAA Division III men's basketball sectional tournaments in 2005, 2007 and 2010 and women's basketball sectional tournaments in 1987 and 2004. The facility also hosted the NCAA Division III wrestling championships in 1994. The field house also serves as a venue for numerous concerts and community events.
Hosting an NCAA championship event will not be new to UW-Stevens Point Athletics staff. Montgomery served as tournament manager for the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Final Four® played at Ford Field in Detroit and UW-Stevens Point Women's Basketball Coach. Shirley Egner is a former chair of this championship event.
“This event provides a platform for our university and community to promote and support the game of women's basketball, said Egner. “Having participated in two Final Fours, we are honored and welcome the opportunity to be a part of something so special.”
“We are incredibly excited and know we have a lot of work to do as we prepare to host the championship games,” said Montgomery.
COURTESY UW-STEVENS POINT
