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For more information, contact: ST. LOUIS AWARDED NCAA DIVISION I WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR 2008 AND 2009MAKE THAT NINE NCAA D-I CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ST. LOUIS THIS DECADEST. LOUIS – Sept. 22, 2005 – Having become a favorite site and a proven host, St. Louis was rewarded with back-to-back NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in 2008 and 2009. The NCAA Wrestling Committee announced today that it awarded St. Louis the first two years available in the current bid cycle. Both tournaments will take place at Savvis Center and be hosted by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the University of Missouri. All three entities collaborated on the successful bid. With the announcement, the Gateway City will now be home to five NCAA Wrestling Championships this decade. St. Louis also remains the only city to host the event in back-to-back years. It previously hosted the Championships in 2000, 2004 and 2005, setting the all-time total attendance record and boasting three of the event's top five all-time total attendance marks. “This is a very special event to us and it is a thrill to bring the Championships back to St. Louis for multiple years,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito. “This is a tribute to all of the hard work done to make the previous events so successful, as well as the incredible working relationship we have with our friends at the University of Missouri and Savvis Center.” “The opportunity to bring the NCAA Wrestling Championships back to Missouri is truly an honor,” said Mizzou Athletic Director Mike Alden. “St. Louis is the perfect home for the tournament and we couldn't be more proud that the NCAA has asked us to put on such a fine event for two more years.” A record 96,994 fans attended the 2000 Championships in St. Louis. The total attendance of 95,459 at Savvis Center in 2005 was the second-highest in the tournament's 75-year history. Based on an economic impact survey conducted at the 2000 event, the Championships attract 15,000 visitors to St. Louis, account for 12,000 hotel room nights and generate an estimated $10 million in economic impact. In addition to attendance numbers, fan feedback demonstrates how attractive St. Louis has become as a site for the tournament. During the 2004 Championships at Savvis Center, 91 percent of fans surveyed rated St. Louis as either an “excellent” or “very good” host city for the event. (98 percent rated St. Louis “excellent,” “very good” or “good.”) When asked about their overall experience in St. Louis during the Championships, 99 percent of fans said it was either “very favorable” or “favorable” compared to other host cities. Additionally, 98 percent of fans rated the venue experience at Savvis Center as either “very favorable” or “favorable.” “We are thrilled to host the NCAA Wrestling Championships again,” said Senior VP and General Manager of Savvis Center Dennis Petrullo. “After playing host to terrific events in 2000, 2004 and 2005, Savvis Center has the proven experience to help make this event another resounding success. We're very excited to add future Championship dates to our schedule.” The dates for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in St. Louis are March 20-22, 2008 and March 19-21, 2009. As was the case in the tournament's first three years in St. Louis, the Sports Commission will partner with the University of Missouri in overseeing the local organizing committee. Mizzou will once again serve as the host institution. “The entire Missouri wrestling family is very excited to host such a great event,” said Mizzou head coach Brian Smith. “All of the volunteers that have put in hundreds of hours behind the scenes are the ones that should be credited with helping bring this championship back to St. Louis. The continued support and dedication of all of these individuals are what make this such a tremendous experience for coaches, student-athletes and fans.” Viverito said, “Because St. Louis has hosted the Championships three times in the past six years, we have gotten to know the event quite well. Now, we have the opportunity to take it to the next level. We truly care about the event, have a sincere appreciation for the sport, and want to see the Championships and collegiate wrestling grow and flourish.” With the 2008 and 2009 events, St. Louis will now host a remarkable nine NCAA Championships this decade (listed below). And the region may not be done yet. St. Louis is in the running to host the 2006 NCAA Men's Soccer College Cup. The site selection for that event will be announced on Friday. In addition to the future NCAA Championships set for St. Louis, the community will also host the 2006 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships – presented locally by Schnucks – Jan. 7-15 at Savvis Center and the Family Arena; the 2007 NCAA Men's Basketball St. Louis Regional at the Edward Jones Dome; and the Missouri-Illinois Football Series annually beginning in 2007 – also at the Edward Jones Dome. Championship City: NCAA Division I Championships • 2000 NCAA Wrestling Championships |
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