National Collegiate Athletic Association |
The NCAA News - News & FeaturesOctober 28, 1996Maryland replaces Rutgers as I, III men's lacrosse hostThe University of Maryland, College Park, will replace Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (New Brunswick), as host of the 1997 NCAA Divisions I and III Men's Lacrosse Championships.Rutgers was scheduled to host the semifinals and final of the Division I championship and the final of the Division III championship May 24-26, 1997. Rutgers officials, however, have informed the NCAA that they will have to redevelop the playing surface at Rutgers Stadium and that the field will not be ready for play next May. The NCAA Men's Lacrosse Committee's asked Maryland officials if the institution could host the events, and they agreed to do so. Maryland's Byrd Stadium has hosted the NCAA men's lacrosse championships seven times, including the last four. "We welcome the lacrosse community back to Byrd Stadium," said Deborah A. Yow, director of athletics at Maryland. "Our staff will do everything possible to make the experience an enjoyable one for the teams and the spectators. Hopefully, we will set, once again, new attendance records for the championships." "The men's lacrosse committee is disappointed that Rutgers cannot host the 1997 championships," said John Parry, chair of the Men's Lacrosse Committee and director of athletics at Butler University. "We know from experience, though, that the athletics administration at Maryland does an outstanding job hosting this event, and we appreciate their making their facilities available on such short notice. We also look forward to the day when we move the championships to Rutgers' beautiful new facility." |