St. Louis chosen as finalist to host 2008-11 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
2/9/2005
Doug Bray/St. Louis Sports Commission
ST. LOUIS ” Feb. 9, 2005 ” St. Louis has been chosen as a finalist city to host the 2008-11 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The NCAA notified the St. Louis Sports Commission and the University of Missouri that St. Louis has made the final cut. The Sports Commission and Mizzou submitted the city’s bid on Jan. 14. More than a dozen cities pursued the tournament.
Representatives from the Sports Commission, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, Savvis Center and the University of Missouri will make a final presentation to the NCAA Wrestling Committee April 16 in San Diego, Calif. An official decision will be made at a later date.
“The event has become one of our favorites and we would love to have it come back to St. Louis as much as possible,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito. “We genuinely care about the tournament, and have a sincere appreciation for the sport. We know there’s nothing like the excitement, drama and passion of the Championships.”
The 2005 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships are just over a month away and will take place at Savvis Center March 17-19. St. Louis first hosted the event in 2000, and set the all-time total attendance record. Last year, more than 87,000 fans passed through the turnstiles during the three-day tournament. St. Louis is the first city to host the Championships in back-to-back years in the 75-year history of the event.
The Wrestling Championships attract more than 15,000 visitors to the Gateway City, generating nearly $10 million in economic impact and 12,000 hotel room nights.
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR 2005 CHAMPIONSHIPS
This year, the NCAA Wrestling Championships local organizing committee has provided fans with plenty of options to purchase tickets for the 2005 tournament. All-session tickets, which provide admission to all six sessions of the Championships, cost $100. There are also special night and weekend ticket packages available for $50; and groups of 15 or more can experience the tournament starting at just $5 per ticket. To order all-session tickets, night and weekend packages, or group tickets, call 877-722-1604. Single-session tickets will go on sale Sunday, Feb. 27.
For more information visit www.stlsports.org/wrestling
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