And a good shot it is with Soccer returning to the Gate City in a big way right after the 2008 elections. It looks like another Bush might be up for President again.(Marc Bush) Here’s today’s good news from Demp Bradford and the Greensboro Sports Commission.
Greensboro to Host 2008 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The National Collegiate Athletic Association announced that its 2008 Division III men’s and women’s soccer semifinals, and title games, will be held in Greensboro, N.C.
Macpherson Stadium at Bryan Park will serve as the championships venue. The stadium was the first to host both the men’s and women’s Division III soccer tournaments simultaneously in 2004 and 2005. Greensboro College will again serve as the host institution.
“We are ecstatic about the return of the NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s NCAA Soccer Championships after successfully hosting it the first time in 2004 and 2005,â€
said Marc Bush, President of the Greensboro Sports Commission. “We are looking forward to working with Greensboro College, the City of Greensboro, Greensboro Youth Soccer, and the Carolina Dynamo to take this event to an even higher level than we did before.
The championships return to the Gate City—the first ever site to host both the men’s and women’s championships—after a two-year run in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The semifinal games will be Friday, November 28 and the finals, November 29.
“Having the NCAA select Greensboro after a two year stint at Disney continues to validate that the Bryan Park Soccer Complex is one of the best in the nation and continues to attract some of the nation’s premier events,†Bush said.
The 2008 soccer championships will be held at Macpherson Stadium, the crown jewel of the Bryan Park Soccer Complex.
The soccer-specific venue is home for the Carolina Dynamo of the United Soccer League’s Premiere Development League.
The 2005 NCAA Division III semifinals and finals attracted 3,817 spectators to Macpherson.
The Greensboro College men’s soccer program has qualified for 12 of the past 13–and 14 overall–NCAA Tournament bids. The Pride women have reached the NCAA playoffs in 2002 and 2003.
Earlier this year, the GC men hosted the Inaugural Doug Hamilton Memorial Tournament at Macpherson Stadium. The Greensboro College men and women have played regular season games at the venue. Additionally, The Pride men previously held the USA South Conference tournament at Macpherson Stadium.
Both Greensboro College teams are contenders for the 2007 tournament, the second of two held at the Disney complex.
The Pride women are 14-3-1 and are on pace to set a program record for wins. The GC men are 10-4-3 and defeated three-time defending national champion Messiah College, now ranked second nationally. The Pride men have earned the last two USA South automatic bids by winning the conference tournament.
The City of Greensboro trademarked the term “Tournament Town†to reflect its prowess as a host of many championships. The Gate City is a regular host for both the men and women’s Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball Tournaments and numerous NCAA Division I first round and regional games at the Greensboro Coliseum.
As for soccer, from youth leagues to professional organizations, Greensboro is recognized as a vibrant soccer community. Much of this reputation is due to the Greensboro Youth Soccer, the largest soccer organization in a thriving Piedmont Triad soccer community.
For more information contact:
Demp Bradford– Director of Sports Events- Greensboro Sports Commission- 336-378-4499
Bob Lowe– Sports Information Director- Greensboro College- 336-272-7102 ext. 279