The NCAA News - News & Features

Men's lacrosse semifinals, championship sites named

The University of Maryland, College Park, will host the 1999 and 2000 events, and Rutgers University, New Brunswick, will host the 2001 and 2002 championships.

The 1999 championships will mark the eighth time that Maryland has hosted the combined events. During the 1993 through 1996 championships, single-session attendance records based on ticket sales were established (Division I semifinal: 30,392; Division III final: 18,555; and Division I championship game: 26,229).

The 2001 and 2002 championships will return to Rutgers Stadium, also the site of the 1997 and 1998 events. Rutgers has hosted five previous championships (1974, 1978, 1983, 1987 and 1990).

"The lacrosse committee is excited with the quality of the presentations and that both sites will continue the growing tradition of this event," said John C. Parry, director of athletics at Butler University and committee chair.

"The sport of men's lacrosse is fortunate to have two institutions located within the lacrosse community so dedicated to hosting these events," Parry said. "Maryland has proven itself as a tremendous site for the student-athletes and spectators to enjoy the weekend of lacrosse," he continued. "We expect Rutgers to provide the same atmosphere and serve the lacrosse fans in the metropolitan New York area and the entire Northeast. We believe both sites will continue the outstanding tradition of these events."

During the 1996 championships, a record number of advance sale tickets were sold (17,081) to spectators from 37 different states for the championships weekend in College Park. Parry said the committee believes this number and the number of individuals from each state will continue to grow in the coming years.

The 1997 championships will be conducted May 24-26 at Rutgers Stadium. Tickets may be purchased by calling 908/445-2766, or fans can call 800/490-NCAA to receive a ticket application.