Junior college national championships coming to PSU

  Tuesday, April 14, 2015 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Still one week from its official opening, the Robert W. Plaster Center at Pittsburg State has been awarded its second slate of national championship competition.

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) announced this week that Pittsburg State was selected to host the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2017 and 2019. The NJCAA championships will take place in the Plaster Center, which was selected to host the 2016 and 2018 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track Championships before construction on the facility even began.

“The NJCAA is thrilled to be bringing over 500 student-athletes to Pittsburg to compete in what is going to be one of the best indoor track and field facilities in the nation,” said NJCAA Assistant Executive Director Mark Krug. “The facility, location and hospitality of Pittsburg State and Crawford County made this an easy decision for the organization.”

Pitt State officials were excited to hear the news of the university’s selection.

"We are excited that the NJCAA chose Pittsburg, PSU and the Robert W. Plaster Center to host their 2017 and 2019 Indoor Track and Field National Championship,” said Tom Myers, associate athletics director for facilities. “It is our hope that the student athletes come excited to compete and leave having had a wonderful experience. The facility will be one of the best indoor track & field venues in the country and with all the support we have from the community, we know this will be an opportunity that the student-athletes will never forget."

B.J. Harris, director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said hosting national events such as the NJCAA championships provides a boost to the local and regional economies.

“The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau is excited to be partnering with Pittsburg State University and the NJCAA to bring another championship caliber event to our community,” Harris said. “This championship is another example how the Robert W. Plaster Center will allow us to attract events that will make a positive economic impact on our community.”

The Robert W. Plaster Center ribbon cutting will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21. Tours of the facility will be available following the ceremony.