By Kendra Henry
The NIRSA Championship Series is happy to announce outstanding sites for 2014 regional basketball tournaments and the National Championships.
The NIRSA Championship Series is excited that beautiful facilities at North Carolina State University will be returning as the National Championship host for 2014 and will also be the host site for the 2015 event.
In total, ten regional sites were selected from across the country and will provide participation and development opportunities to an increasing number of players, officials, and staff. The sites and dates are:
- Boston University – January 24-26
- University of Maryland – February 7-9
- Oakland University – February 14-16
- Eastern Washington University (with satellite sites Gonzaga, Washington State, and City Colleges of Spokane) – February 21-23
- University of Florida – February 21-23
- California State University, Northridge – February 28-March 2
- University of Georgia – February 28-March 2
- Purdue University – February 28-March 2
- Texas Christian University – March 7-9
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln – March 7-9
Get your school’s club teams to the National Championships at NC State University.
In collaboration with the newly formed NIRSA Championship Series Club Basketball League, all regional sites will also serve as conference tournaments for the club teams by adding, based on availability, a new club division to each tournament. “Offering an opportunity for clubs to have their own division at each regional was a great way to provide opportunities for the club teams while still maintaining the rich tradition of extramural competition for intramural teams and development opportunities for our student officials,” says John Washo, Chair of the Basketball Work Team and Assistant Director of Intramurals/Outdoor Adventure at Centers, LLC at DePaul University. The winners of both the Intramural and Club divisions at each regional, as well as the top ranked official, will then receive travel stipends to attend the national tournament.
Another change to this year’s structure of the Series’ national basketball tournament host site will see hosts now receive three-year bids to host the championship tournament. “This will allow for greater consistency and a better experience for all involved. The host will have the opportunity to improve on their tournament each year and allow future hosts to see first-hand what makes a successful tournament,” explains Washo. Prospective host sites for 2016-2018 will be encouraged to apply this upcoming fall, with a selection being made and announced by January.
The future host will take part in the upcoming national tournament to ensure better host preparation and a quality tournament for all involved. Information on all regionals and the national tournament can be found on the NIRSA website.
For individuals looking to be an active part of the basketball program’s development, staff applications will be available in the fall and announced on the NIRSA website.
