MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS

     Mankato, Minn. --- The National Collegiate Athletic Association has announced that it has awarded its 2012 Division II national indoor track & field championship meet to Minnesota State University.

This will be the second national indoor track & field championship and sixth national championship hosted by MSU.  In addition to hosting the national indoor track & field meet in 2008, MSU has served as the host institution for four other NCAA national championship events - wrestling in 1966, 1968 and 2004 and men’s gymnastics in 1970.

The NCAA has been holding a championship for indoor track and field since 1985.

“Thanks to our outstanding facilities and staff, the success of Maverick athletic programs and excellent cooperation from local businesses, our University has become a destination site for national tournaments,” said Dr. Richard Davenport, MSU president. “The campus, the people and the city received rave reviews from athletes, coaches and fans when we hosted the national indoor meet two years ago. I know that will be the result again in 2012, and I thank the NCAA for its confidence in us.”

“Being awarded the 2012 NCAA Division II Indoor Championship is a great honor for our program, the University and the community,” said Maverick men’s track & field coach Mark Schuck. “It will also give many fans the opportunity to see outstanding track and field athletes from around the country perform right here in Mankato.  I am looking forward to being a part of this great event.”

Jen Blue, head coach of the MSU women’s track and field program said “I am extremely excited that we have the opportunity to host the national meet again!  I think it is a great opportunity to showcase our campus and the city of the Mankato.  We are still receiving positive feedback from when we hosted the meet in 2008.”

Kevin Buisman, MSU’s Director of Athletics, echoed sentiments of the two coaches. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the 2012 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships.  It was a wonderful chance to showcase our University and the track and field program in 2008 when the event was last here in Mankato, and we are looking to build upon that and to taking that very positive experience to an even higher level for all the coaches, student-athletes, and fans who will be part  of this prestigious event.  We are proud to partner with Greater Mankato on this initiative and look forward to giving back to a community that so proudly supports Maverick athletics.”

More than 500 participants (including student-athletes, coaches and administrators) from around the country are expected to visit Mankato for the event which is scheduled for March 9-10, 2012 in Myers Field House.

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