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| Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato |
The Mavericks captured the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season title and as the top team in the league, was the number one seed at the NSIC post-season tournament. It was pre-determined that MSU would serve as the host for the six-team go-round, but having the tournament in Mankato would mean that the Mavericks would advantageously sleep in their own beds for the duration of the four-day event. MSU won the tournament and as the top seed in the region, earned the right to host a regional for the first time since 1988. Again the Mavericks were successful, winning all four games this past week at Franklin Rogers Park and earning a trip to the NCAA DII National Championship Tournament.
The Mavericks, who stand 48-10 for the season, will not be sleeping in their own beds for the national tournament, with the eight regional championship teams from around the country all meeting in Cary, N.C., beginning this Saturday to determine the best in the land.
Hosting postseason league events is nothing new for Minnesota State Athletics. And, in fact, NCAA regional and national events have also become the norm. Especially when you take a glance at the last five years.
The 2011-12
Hosted NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships
Hosted NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships
Hosted NSIC Soccer Tournament
Hosted NCAA DII Softball Central SubRegion Tournament
Hosted NSIC Baseball Tournament
Hosted NCAA DII Baseball Central Region Tournament
2010-11
Hosted NSIC Soccer Tournament
Hosted NCAA DII Central Region Tournament (MBB)
Hosted First Round NSIC Tournament Game (MBB)
Hosted NSIC Baseball Tournament
Hosted NCAA DII Softball Central Sub-Region Tournament
Hosted Midwest Conference Diving Championships
2009-10
Hosted NCAA DII Football Playoff Game
Hosted NCAA DII Central Region Tournament (MBB)
Hosted NCAA DII Women’s Golf Regional
First Round NSIC Tournament Game (MBB)
2008-09
Hosted NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament (WBB)
Hosted First Round NSIC Tournament Game (MBB)
Hosted First Round NSIC Tournament Game (WBB)
2007-08
Hosted NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships
Hosted NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships
Hosted WCHA Men’s Hockey First-Round Series
Hosted First Round NCC Tournament Game (MBB)
Hosted NCAA DII Central Region Wrestling Tournament
NCAA DII Soccer Central Regional
NCC Soccer Tournament
A few observations.
27 events in the last five years. The last two conference baseball tournaments, the track & field, golf, wrestling and swimming events - hosting has been earned by MSU teams as regular-season league champions. So, for the most part, the high number of events is indicative of our extremely successful programs. And it hasn't just been one program. It's been several.
The Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau recently was quoted as saying that the NSIC postseason baseball tournament brings an estimated $80,000 worth of economic impact to town. While we don't have all the numbers, it's safe to assume that the Mavericks vs. Gophers men's hockey postseason series, in which Verizon Wireless Center was packed to the rafters for three straight scintillating games in March of 2008, would provide a much higher number. Same thing for the men's basketball regional in 2009-10 and the women's basketball regional in 2008-09. So there's a financial effect.
Lastly, while there's a strong belief that hosting postseason events provides a competitive advantage for our teams, something earned through regular season success, there's also the long-term benefit. One in which such events allows us to proudly showcase our facilities, the University and the city. These events bring back alumni and provide opportunities to make positive impressions on future students and student-athletes.
It's great to be a Maverick!
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