VIRGINIA BEACH – NCAA officials announced Jan. 31 that Virginia Wesleyan College was selected host of the Division III women's basketball championships in 2004 and 2005.
The Jane P. Batten Student Center, which opened in January 2002, will host the semifinals, third-place game and national championship game on March 19-20, 2004, and March 18-19, 2005. It's the third pre-determined neutral site for the women's finals, following three years at Western Connecticut State in Danbury, Conn., and two years at Rose-Hulman in Terre Haute, Ind. This year will be the second and final year at Rose-Hulman.
“It's a tremendous honor for our college, our coaches, our facility, and to the region, to be selected to host this event," said elated VWC President William T. Greer. Virginia Wesleyan is seeking to be a national figure in both the academic and athletic scenes. Being selected to host the Division III Final Four only bolsters the kind of image we are attempting to craft.”
“We've been fortunate to host some great events here in the short time that the Batten Center has been open, but being selected as the site for an NCAA basketball championship event is major for our College,” said VWC head women's coach Joanne Renn.
Renn began contemplating the idea of applying for the NCAA event shortly after the Batten Center opened its doors. With the help of assistant coaches Don Proehl and Kendra Robins, the ground work was accomplished, the application completed, and the effort rewarded.
“We're doing this because we can,” said Renn. “It's only because we have this facility, that we even thought about trying to host the NCAA event. Many individuals have contributed to the process, but Kendra really did most of the leg work on this. She deserves a lot of credit.”
The seating capacity of 1,200 permanent seats will be increased to 2,400 for the NCAA event.
“I think for first time in my life I am actually speechless,” said Renn. “This will provide national exposure not only for our college, but also for the greater Norfolk and Virginia Beach area. I think the fact that this is a resort area adds a flavor that the women's tournament has not had in the past.
“This is a great honor, just a great honor. We can't wait to start working on the 2004 event. We want to make it the best ever.”