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NCAA Championships coming to Lancaster

Lancaster, Pa. — Adding to its reputation as a top draw for sports tourism, Lancaster County will be hosting NCAA championships in the very near future, a...
usa field hockey

Lancaster, Pa. — Adding to its reputation as a top draw for sports tourism, Lancaster County will be hosting NCAA championships in the very near future, as Spooky Nook Sports will be the official site of the NCAA Division III National Women’s Field Hockey Championships in 2018 and 2019.

The Centennial Conference and Middle Atlantic Conferences will co-host the event, and they put together the winning bid in conjunction with Spooky Nook and Discover Lancaster, the official tourism marketing organization for Lancaster. Both conferences have member institutions in south central Pennsylvania.

“The Centennial Conference is thrilled to co-host the 2018 and 2019 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship semifinals and final with the Middle Atlantic Conferences,” said Centennial Conference Executive Director Steve Ulrich. “To be able to bring the best in Division III field hockey to play at the best venue in the country at Spooky Nook Sports is very exciting. We look forward to providing a memorable experience for the students, their families, and their fans here in the heart of Lancaster County.”

“We are delighted with the announcement from the NCAA that our bid to co-host the 2018 and 2019 Division III Field Hockey Championships at Spooky Nook Sports has been accepted,” added MAC Executive Director Ken Andrews. “I am confident that in collaboration with our partners at the Centennial Conference, Discover Lancaster, and Spooky Nook Sports we will provide a first-class event for the participating student-athletes.”

The championships will take place November 17-18 in 2018 and November 23-24 in 2019. Lancaster is one of more than 600 host sites named for NCAA preliminary and championship rounds from 2017-22, selected from more than 3,000 bid submissions.

“We’re excited to join such great partners in welcoming these NCAA national championships to the Lancaster area,” stated Discover Lancaster President Kathleen Frankford. “Hosting an event of this stature will further raise the profile of our sport tourism offerings in the eyes of tournament organizers across the country, and hopefully lead to additional similar opportunities in the future.”

“Spooky Nook Sports is thrilled to be the chosen venue for the 2018 and 2019 Division III Field Hockey Championships,” added Lyndsay Warner, the venue’s Director of Event Sales. “Bringing the best of the best Division III athletes to Manheim, PA – the Home of Hockey – will be a memorable event for all those involved. We are very excited for this great opportunity and so thankful to everyone who helped make it a reality.”

“The Home of Hockey within the United States, Manheim, Pa., continues to expand, attracting rich talent to the area for our premier events at the grade school level all the way to the international stage,” said Simon Hoskins, USA Field Hockey’s Executive Director. “Welcoming the NCAA DIII National Championships is a natural addition to the location’s playing portfolio. We are excited to support and witness the upward growth of the sport within Lancaster.”

Additionally, Millersville University has been selected as the host to the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championships. The site of competition for the national semifinals and championship games will be Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium.

It is the first time that Millersville University has been awarded a NCAA Championship to host on campus. Millersville previously served as the host institution for the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship at Hershey Country Club East Course in 2013. The 2019 event will be held Nov. 22-24 with the 2021 championships set for Nov. 19-21.

“I am completely ecstatic right now for Millersville University to be selected hosts of the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championships,” said Millersville field hockey head coach Shelly Behrens. “It is such an honor to be able to showcase our University and facilities and host the best of the best in Division II field hockey–just incredible! To have our first national championship here on our campus is something we all will take great pride in and make it the best championship experience for Division II field hockey.”

Millersville field hockey is no stranger to the national championship environment. The Marauders have reached the NCAA Tournament in four consecutive seasons, reaching the national semifinal in 2013 and 2016 while winning the national championship in 2014.

The NCAA announced on Tuesday 613 host sites awarded as hosts for championships from 2019-2022. The NCAA received more than 3,000 bid submissions from NCAA member schools, conferences, sports commissions and cities vying to host predetermined rounds of 84 of the NCAA’s 90 championships. Pittsburgh, with Slippery Rock University as the host, received the 2018 championship as part of the fall festival. Bloomsburg University will host in 2020 after hosting the field hockey championships in 2015.

SOURCE: Discover Lancaster and Millersville University

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