The selection process of preliminary-round sites for the 2004 and 2005 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships is underway.

Facility specifications and availability questionnaires for 2004 and 2005 have been mailed to Division I directors of athletics and conference commissioners. Institutions and conferences interested in serving as hosts should return the completed questionnaire and specifications-agreement forms to William R. Hancock, director of the Division I Men's Basketball Championship-Administration, at the national office no later than July 14, 2000. Minimum seating capacity is 12,000.

In August, a subcommittee of the Division I Men's Basketball Committee will review the responses and will select "finalist" cities. Those cities will be asked to submit proposed budgets and hotel confirmations. In late December, the basketball committee will forward its 2004 and 2005 site recommendations to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet for consideration. To be eligible for selection, a facility must be operational before May 1, 2001.

The Alamodome in San Antonio and the Trans World Dome in St. Louis will host the 2004 and 2005 Final Fours, respectively. The committee already has selected hosts for all sessions of the 2001, 2002 and 2003 championships.