NCAA Selects Columbus As 2001 Men’s Soccer Final Four Host – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 8, 2000
COLUMBUS, Ohio—The National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men’s Soccer Committee announced Columbus Crew Stadium has been selected to play host to the 2001 NCAA Men’s College Cup, December 14 and 16, 2001. Pending the approval of the Division I Championships/ Competition Cabinet, the event will be co-hosted by Ohio State and the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer and marks the first time the Men’s Division I soccer championship will be held in the state of Ohio.
“We are pleased that another NCAA Championship is coming to Columbus,” Andy Geiger, director of athletics at Ohio State, said. “It is another wonderful example of the partnership between the Ohio State University, the city of Columbus and the Columbus Crew. It is community spirit prevailing in the best sense. We are looking forward to the opportunity and remain committed to playing host to championship events.”
The championships will consist of two national semifinal matches Dec. 14, 2001, and the national title match between the semifinal winners Dec. 16, 2001.
“We are thrilled that the College Cup is coming to Columbus,” John Bluem, OSU men’s head soccer coach, said. “Crew Stadium is the ideal venue for the championships. I have attended the championships in the past and I think this will be one of the best final fours ever. The fact that the Columbus Crew is serving as a co-host means no stone will be left unturned in either the planning or the execution of the event.”
The Columbus Crew led MLS in attendance in 1999, averaging 17,696 fans per game. Columbus Crew Stadium, which has a capacity of 22,555, was the first major-league stadium built specifically for soccer in the United States. It was the site of the 2000 MLS All-Star Game and U.S. national team qualifying matches.
The 2000 Men’s College Cup will be held December 8-10, at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., before it moves to central Ohio. For ticket information, contact the Davidson College ticket office at 800/768-2287.
