The Division II Championships Committee has selected Houston as the site for the 2008 Division II Spring National Championships Festival.

Rice University and the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority will serve as hosts.

"Houston provides an opportunity for events to be within close geographic proximity, which is imperative for the festival’s success," said Sharon Cessna, NCAA director of championships. "The quality of the facilities and the commitment of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority and Rice University will provide for a great student-athlete experience."

The festival, tentatively set for May 12-16, 2008, will be conducted at the following sites:

"We know Houston will provide the outstanding venues needed for each of the championships as well as offer the leadership to make this a great festival for each student-athlete," said Billy Burge, chair of the Houston Sports Authority.

In recent years, Houston has hosted National Collegiate Championships in fencing and bowling.

The 2008 event will be Division II’s third festival. The first spring festival was conducted in Orlando, Florida, in May 2004. This November, the first fall festival will take place in Pensacola, Florida.

In addition, the Division II Championships Committee is exploring the possibility of a winter festival for 2009 or beyond.

The Division II festivals are the only settings in which NCAA championships in different sports are conducted at a common date and place. They feature opening and closing ceremonies for the participants and also opportunities for the student-athletes to interact with one another throughout the four-day event.