By Alyssa Whitney

NIRSA Championship Series regional basketball will feature 11 fantastic sites during the 2016 season. The first regional championship will kick off February 12-14 at Boston University while the final tournament will take place at the University of Massachusetts Amherst from March 18–20. In the end, all roads lead to Columbus, where The Ohio State University will have its debut as the new three-year NIRSA National Basketball host! The 2016 NIRSA National Basketball Championships will take place at OSU from April 22–24.

Over the years, NIRSA Championship Series basketball has developed a reputation for greatness, and with a solid group of regional hosts we anticipate another fantastic year of competition and play! The Basketball Work Team is hard at work ensuring a smooth season for all involved. Basketball Work Team Chair Aaron Hobson says, “We are excited to announce eleven premiere host sites across the country. These select regional tournaments will provide incredible venues, outstanding staff, and top-notch competition for teams as they compete to crown themselves as a regional champion and win a paid entry into the National Championship!”

The following regional sites were selected and will provide participation and development opportunities to an increasing number of players, officials, and staff:

  • February 12–14, Boston University
  • February 26–28, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • February 26-28, University of Maryland
  • March 4–6, Georgia Tech
  • March 4–6, University of Central Florida
  • March 4–6, University of Houston
  • March 4-6, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • March 11–13, California State University, Sacramento
  • March 11–13, University of Dayton
  • March 18–20, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • March 4–6, University of Oregon

Four of the eleven sites are new to the roster while others return to it after some time. When asked what the hosting opportunity means to his department, Andrew Reddish—Intramural Sports Coordinator at California State University, Sacramento—says, “We are very excited to bring a Region VI tournament back to Northern California and showcase what Sacramento State University has to offer.  With a state-of-the-art facility, knowledgeable and talented staff, and top-notch accommodations, The WELL at Sac State welcomes the NIRSA community with open arms.  It’s going to be a terrific weekend!”

Would you like an opportunity to be on staff at one of these regional tournaments? Staff applications are set to open in early October and will be available to both student and professional members. Learn all about volunteering with the NIRSA Championship Series on the NIRSA website!

For more information about NIRSA Championship Series basketball, please contact NIRSA Director of National Sport Programs Valerie McCutchan.