INDIANAPOLIS - For only the third time in its history, the NCAA undertook a site selection process where most of its championships were put out for bid at the same time.
The result: The Association made more than 450 selections of host sites for preliminary rounds and final sites of predetermined championships in Divisions I, II and III, with most to be held from 2022-23 through 2025-26.
One of the hosts will be none other than Lake Erie College in collaboration with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission when they host the 2024 NCAA Division II Swim & Dive National Championships. The finals will be held at the SPIRE Institute's Aquatics Center in Geneva, just east of Painesville.
Lake Erie College and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission previously partnered up to host the same event earlier this year before the novel coronavirus prevented the completion of it.
"We are very excited to be named as hosts for the 2024 NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving National Championships," said Interim Director of Athletics Molly Hoffman. "We were very disappointed the event this year was cut short due to COVID and are looking forward to having the opportunity to host this championships once again. I look forward to our continued partnership with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and the SPIRE Institute."
The NCAA received more than 3,000 bid submissions from NCAA member schools, conferences, sports commissions and cities vying to host predetermined rounds for 86 of the NCAA's 90 championships. The sites were selected by the respective NCAA sports committees and approved by the divisional competition oversight and championships committees.
"The response of our membership, host cities and local organizing committees to this process was tremendous," said Joni Comstock, NCAA senior vice president of championships. "Thanks to their commitment, we are excited that our student-athletes will play in some of the top locations and venues in the United States."
Forty-three states plus the District of Columbia were selected to host at least one NCAA championship event, with California garnering the most, with 34. Texas was second with 30, while North Carolina totaled 28, followed by Pennsylvania with 27 and Ohio with 25.
Cleveland will also host national championships in other divisions and sports including three consecutive years of the Division III baseball finals at Classic Park, home of the Lake County Captains and Lake Erie Storm.
In total, the championships hosted in the immediate area are expected to provide over $27 million in economic impact. Along with other events between now and then, that number is estimated at $53,125,000.
"We're extremely excited to welcome eight NCAA Championships to our community," said David Gilbert, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. "Our team along with our incredible partners have consistently proven they can punch above their weight when it comes to securing major sporting events for our city.
"Our city is now hosting the three largest NCAA events possible with our current infrastructure within a three-year period," said Gilbert. "Cleveland's selection of these incredible Championships provides us with a promising outlook for the future of live sporting events. The inspiration for this community to continue to move forward is in acknowledgement to the Mid-American Conference, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, SPIRE Institute, North Coast Athletic Conference, Lake Erie College and Classic Park for their partnership with the
sports commission and communal efforts to achieve this great news."
Multiple other national championships will take place in the region as well. Division II will host a basketball festival in 2026 with both its men's and women's Elite Eights at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh.
The NCAA sports committees made the nearly 450 selections of host sites based on criteria that included the ability to create an outstanding experience for student-athletes, along with adherence to NCAA sport-specific bid specifications. Specifications can include, but are not limited to, providing optimal facilities; ease of travel to the location and ample lodging; and adherence to NCAA principles, which include providing an atmosphere that is safe and respects the dignity of all attendees.
For the complete list of NCAA championship sites, click here.