Lots of planning goes into hosting national event
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 2:00 AM
News
Pittsburg, KS
Almost as soon as it was announced that the 2016 NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships would be held at Pittsburg State University on March 11-12, university and community organizers began planning.
“We began planning for this the day we were awarded the bid,” said Tom Myers, associate athletics director for facilities. “We started having meetings with the NCAA in March of 2015 and campus constituent meetings in August.”
Since then, a group of about 30, representing the campus and the community, has been meeting and working on the various aspects of hosting the event.
It takes a lot of people to host an event of this size and importance, Myers said, and there are so many details to attend to. The list of things the committee worked seemed endless and included: awards, banquets, broadcasting and Web streaming, the competition site, drug testing, equipment (for competitors and officials), equipment inspection, shipping and receiving of equipment for teams, financial administration, lodging, marketing and promotions, branding, fan engagement, media coordination and credentials, medical, meet management, merchandise and sales, officials and timers, parking, programs, safety and security, tickets, transportation and volunteers.
Myers said the championships will bring an estimated 554 student athletes and staff of almost 250 to Pittsburg. About 3,000-3,500 spectators are expected to attend over the two days.
Myers said there will be about 350 volunteer opportunities during the two-day championship. Volunteers will help in many areas, including with the banquet and opening ceremony on Thursday, March 10, as ushers, with merchandise sales and other activities on Friday and Saturday.
“This is a great opportunity for Pittsburg State, the Plaster Center and the entire Pittsburg Community to make a national impression,” Myers said. “Many people have worked very hard to guarantee that impression is a positive one.”