Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/11/13
From Press Release
The NCAA announced that Drexel University will serve as host to the 2015 and 2016 Men’s Lacrosse Championships at Lincoln Financial Field.
Philadelphia’s St. Joseph’s University will also serve as the host of the 2015 and 2016 Women’s Lacrosse Championships. Philadelphia and the NCAA have a storied history, including 14 NCAA championships in the City of Brotherly Love since 2000, and the tradition continues with five NCAA Championships over the next three years, bringing thousands of lacrosse and soccer fans to the region.
“Philadelphia is known for many things, arts & culture, higher education, medicine & research, and tourism, but we are also recognized as a passionate, energetic sports town,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “We are consistently a top choice for premier sporting events like the Army-Navy Game, and we frequently host our own nationally recognized events like the Philadelphia Marathon, the Dad Vail Regatta and the Penn Relays. Welcoming NCAA Championships back to Philadelphia for the next several years will only enhance our reputation as a world-class sports city.”
“We are thrilled to continue this partnership with the NCAA, which is a testament to all of our local partners, including Drexel, Villanova, Saint Joseph’s, the Eagles and the Union,” said Larry Needle, executive director of the Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Philadelphia will host the 2015 and 2016 Men’s Lacrosse Championships at Lincoln Financial Field with partner Drexel University. Women’s Lacrosse will also return to Philadelphia in 2015 and 2016 at PPL Park, hosted by Saint Joseph’s University.
“Hosting the 2013 NCAA lacrosse championships was a thrill for Drexel and our staff. We are extremely excited to be the host institution for the 2015 and 2016 Championships and look forward to continuing the rewarding partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles and the City of Philadelphia,” said Nick Gannon, Drexel University’s Deputy Athletic Director. “We want to thank the NCAA and the men’s lacrosse committee for having the confidence in our local partnership to award two consecutive years at Lincoln Financial Field.”
“We are proud to be hosting the 2015 and 2016 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships at Lincoln Financial Field,” said Eagles President Don Smolenski. “We’ve had the pleasure of hosting this event three times in the past, including last year’s thrilling finish between Duke, Syracuse, Cornell and Denver, and we’re looking forward to working with our partners Drexel and the Philadelphia Sports Congress.”
Don DiJulia, Director of Athletics for Saint Joseph’s University, also expressed excitement about the upcoming championships.
“We are thrilled that the NCAA has again acknowledged Philadelphia as a championship city, recognizing the birthplace of America as an exciting destination with diverse institutions,” said DiJulia. “This region is one of the fastest growing nationally for the sport of lacrosse so we are honored to be a part of bringing this great championship here.”
In addition, the Men’s College Cup will return in 2017 to PPL Park with Global Spectrum and Villanova University, after taking place in Philadelphia in 2013 (December 13 & 15 – tickets are still available at pplpark.com or by calling 1-800-298-4200).
“PPL Park is thrilled to continue the tradition that is being built of hosting the best in collegiate sports by welcoming back the NCAA Men’s College Cup and hosting the Women’s Lacrosse DI & DIII National Championships”, said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “We’re honored that what is known as one of the best atmospheres in Major League Soccer is also recognized as one of the best locations for collegiate championships.”
Villanova Director of Athletics Vince Nicastro also expressed excitement: “It’s a privilege for Villanova to serve as host of the Men’s College Cup again in 2017. We are looking forward to welcoming the absolute best that collegiate soccer has to offer and doing it in a great environment at PPL Park.”
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