EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – After learning of its selection three years ago to serve as host for the 2013 NCAA Division III Softball Championship, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is now ready to welcome eight teams from around the nation to compete for the national title, May 17-21 at Gelein Field in Carson Park.
This year will be the sixth time UW-Eau Claire has hosted the national championship. Eau Claire also hosted in 2010, 2002, 2001, 1999 and 1997. Only the City of Salem, Virginia has hosted the softball championship more times than Eau Claire. The tournament has only been in the Midwest 12 times in the 32-year history of the Division III softball championships. In 2014, the championship will head south to be hosted by the University of Texas at Tyler, one of this year's participants.
This Year's Participants
Anderson University (Anderson, Indiana)
Central College (Pella, Iowa)
Cortland (Cortland, New York)
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)
Montclair State University (Montclair, New Jersey)
Salisbury University (Salisbury, Maryland)
Tufts University (Medford, Massachusetts)
University of Texas at Tyler (Tyler, Texas)
Three teams in this year's field also competed at nationals a year ago in Salem (Luther, Montclair State and Tufts). Luther is the only team that also competed when UW-Eau Claire previously hosted in 2010.
View Live Stream of Banquet (May 16 - Beginning about 6:50 p.m.)
Thursday during the day, the teams will practice, attend a barbecue and also participate in various community service activities in the area, focused on Special Olympics and special needs children.
Thursday night, the teams will attend a banquet at The Florian Gardens while competition will get underway at 11 a.m. Friday. Salisbury will face Cortland to open the double-elimination tournament. A complete bracket and schedule can be found at http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/softball/d3 (Note: times listed on bracket are Eastern).
Tickets can be purchased at the venue on game days, at the UW-Eau Claire Service Center or online at NCAA.com/tickets.
-KM-