Marietta selected to host 2009 NCAA Track and Field Championships
Division III outdoor competition scheduled for May 21-23, 2009

Nov. 29, 2007
MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College, which installed a new track in 2005, will play host to the 2009 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The NCAA Championships Committee recently informed College officials of this decision.

The Championships will take place May 21-23, 2009, at Don Drumm Stadium.

The event marks the first time since 1987 that a National Championship will be decided in Marietta, Ohio. Marietta College hosted the first 12 NCAA Division III Baseball Championships, which began in 1976.

NCAA officials praised Marietta College's commitment to the outdoor facility, as well as the availability of the indoor track at the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center for the athlete's pre-event warm ups, as a major deciding factor for selection.

"Hosting this meet demonstrates so many qualities of Marietta College including the College's administrative support of athletics, the quality of our athletic facilities and the College's commitment to enhance the community that surrounds it," said Derek Stanley, Marietta's track and field coach. "Personally I am very excited to bring national caliber collegiate competition to Marietta in hopes of inspiring and educating young minds about the oldest and most wonderful sport in the world."

More than 1,000 student-athletes and coaches from more than 100 institutions competed in the 2007 championships at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, which will also host the 2008 event. Nearly 5,000 spectators watched the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse claim the men's national championship and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh win the women's title last year.

"The NCAA Division III Track and Field Committee is excited about the opportunity to bring the 2009 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships to Marietta, Ohio," said Kristin Steckmesser, Assistant Director of Championships for the NCAA. "The committee is a proponent of bringing these events to new sites and awarded the bid to Marietta College due to the quality of the facility, the experience in hosting high caliber meets and the strong support from the College administration and local communities; which will create a memorable championship experience for the student-athletes and spectators."

Marietta College is working closely with the Marietta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Marietta and the Marietta Chamber of Commerce to prepare the city for the 6,000 visitors expected to descend on the area for the three-day event. Early plans call for a fireworks display on the Friday of the championship.

The NCAA provides Marietta College Track & Field with an intern for a year leading up to the event. The intern, who will begin in June of 2008, will help the institution prepare for the championships. The NCAA Championships will also allow Marietta to make improvements to the facility. Possible upgrades include the addition of pole vault boxes and triple jump boards, as well as lighting on the turns and in the tunnel under the bleachers and new fencing around the track. Repainting of the lines will also likely take place as well as an upgrade from fencing to netting around the hammer cage to improve safety for the athletes.

Head Coach Derek Stanley announced that Marietta College will be the host of the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at a press conference on Thursday morning