WINONA LAKE - For a week in March of 2012, the orthopedical capital of the world will become the basketball capital of the National Christian College Athletic Association.
Beginning in 2012, Grace College's Orthopaedic Capital Center will be the site of both the men's and women's NCCAA Divsion I national tournaments, and 16 teams - eight men's teams and eight women's teams - will converge on the communities of Warsaw and Winona Lake."This is a great day for our athletic department, campus and community," said Grace College Athletic Director Chad Briscoe. "We are humbled and thankful to be selected by the NCCAA for the opportunity to host both of these national championships starting in 2012. We will work diligently to create a national championship atmosphere that generates great memories for the participants, fans and our community."
Grace College will host the NCCAA women's national tournament for the third consecutive year this season, and will then host both the men's and women's tournaments in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
"Indiana and basketball just go together, so this is especially nice for us," said Grace College President Dr. Ron Manahan. "We have a great venue for the tournaments, as well as a great community. Not only are we hosting the tournaments, but this is something that will make an economic impact on the community."
By hosting the tournaments, the Lancers and Lady Lancers will receive automatic bids.
The tournaments have been held in the same year at the same facility before, but not at the same time.
The tournaments at the OCC will run from Wednesday through Saturday. Each team is guaranteed to play three games.
While one men's team and one women's team will be crowned NCCAA Division I national champion, the communities of Warsaw and Winona Lake should also come out a winner.
With 16 teams, as well as family, friends and fans of those teams, coming here, local hotels and restaraunts will feel the economic impact.
"We have 16 teams coming in, and they're all guaranteed to play three games," said Grace College Provost Dr. William Katip. "They're all going to be here for the entire tournament, plus family and fans of the teams, this is great for local businesses. Everything here is pretty close. If it were in a major city there could be bad traffic problems. Here, there's nice hotels and great eateries five minutes away."
Prior to the start of the tournament, the 16 teams will participate in a Christian Service Project, yet another way the community will benefit from the tournaments being held here.
"The CSPs truly define the NCCAA and its commitment to our student-athletes," NCCAA Excecutive Director Dan Wood said in a statement. "Our goal is to remind each participant of his/her Christian responsibility prior to competing for a national championship. One men's and one women's team will leave with a banner as champions, but each team and individual will have the opportunity to carry the banner for Jesus Christ while in Winona Lake and throughout their life."
The NCCAA is a not-for-profit association with headquarters in Greenville, S.C. The NCCAA is the country's only Christian intercollegiate athletic association.
