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NCAA Wrestling Championships Preview
By Katie Fogal, Athletic Communications Intern
Mankato, Minn. --- Wrestling has a long history at Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Mavericks won three national titles (1958, 1959 and 1965), captured several conference team and individual titles, and produced more than 100 All-Americans.
MSU also hosted two national championship tournaments before, but not since 1968. However, that is about to change. On March 12 and 13, Minnesota State will once again host the NCAA Division II national championships at Myers Field House and Bresnan Arena in Taylor Center.
"Hosting the national championships has become a personal and professional dream come true for me," said MSU wrestling head coach Jim Makovsky. He said he is really proud of MSU's new facilities and the city of Mankato. "With all of the money spent on the facilities, we want to show it off. This is a good chance for the town of Mankato and out-of-town visitors to see the facilities that MSU has got to offer."
With 160 competitors and more than 10,000 spectators expected for the two-day event, the Mavericks, along with several MSU and local officials, have been preparing for more than two years for the event.
Makovsky said that Director of Athletics, Kevin Buisman, along with Dr. Sue Reinders, Tim Marshall and Steph Kelly, have been a godsend to him in planning the tournament. "Buisman is a detail guy and puts people in their place," said Makovsky. "This is a first-class group and [this] should be a first-class event."
Buisman has had experience running NCAA championships. He was involved in hosting the NCAA Division I wrestling championships while at Northern Iowa in 1997 when the all-time attendance record was set.
The record for a Division II championship tournament was set in 1998 at Southern Colorado with just over 13,800 participants. MSU organizers hope to attract 14,000 spectators for its two-day event in Myers Field House and Taylor Center.
Sponsoring the tournament is not always easy, however. "Logistical details have been a challenge in itself," Buisman said. Converting MSU's Myers Field House from an indoor track/practice facility into a wrestling arena was a major accomplishment for the event planners. "I think this event is a big undertaking and a challenge to our department and our resources," Buisman said. "But the reward is on Saturday night and crowning our national champions."
To qualify for the meet, student-athletes must finish in the top four at a regional meet. The Mavericks hope to do this at the North Central Conference meet Feb. 29 in St. Cloud, Minn.
MSU junior Mike Engelmann is a veteran of the NCAA tournament experience, having attended last year's meet at West Liberty State College in Wheeling, W.Va. He said he hopes to qualify for the tournament again. "It is exciting at nationals and a lot more intense," Engelmann said. "It is going to be pretty exciting to have the national champions here."
Buisman said he and his staff want the "Mankato Experience" to be as pleasurable as possible for all of the tournament's student-athletes.
For more information regarding the 2004 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, visit msumavericks.com
When: March 12 and 13, 2004. Four sessions (two sessions March 12th and two March 13th ).
Where: Mankato, Minn., on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato. The first three sessions will be held in Myers Field House Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13. Championship (and final) session will be held in Taylor Center Saturday, March 13th in the evening.
Participants: 160 student-athletes from 39 colleges and universities from around the country vying for national team title and individual championships in ten weight classes.
Tournament History: The NCAA has held a national championship for Division II since 1963. Cal Poly has won the most DII team titles with eight. Central Oklahoma captured last year's title held in Wheeling, West Va. This year's host institution, Minnesota State, hosted the national DII tournament in 1966 and 1968 and captured a national title in 1965.
Ticket Information: Advance All-Session tickets may be purchased by contacting the MSU Ticket Office 507-389-2019 or by sending in the order form (available online at www.msumavericks.com). All tickets for the championships are general admission. Single-session tickets will be sold at the MSU ticket office prior to each session and will only be valid for that specific session. Single-session tickets will not be available for pre-sale.
Ticket prices:
Pre-paid tickets may be picked up at the Taylor Center/Bresnan Arena "will call" window. Single session tickets will be on sale at the MSU Ticket Office thirty minutes prior to the designated time prior to the gate opening time for each session.
Media Information: Credentials for reporters, photographers, etc., must be arranged in advance of the championship. Media requests on company letterhead can be sent to:
Results: Complete team and individual results from the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship will be updated throughout the tournament on www.ncaasports.com or at the MSU Athletic Web site at www.msumavericks.com.
Parking: Spectator parking is available at MSU parking lots 20-21 . Team parking in lot 7. Lots 8, 9, 10 reserved for tournament VIP, staff and media.
Further Information: Log on to www.msumavericks.com for area maps, dining & shopping guides, contact information, tournament schedule, etc.