ANCHORAGE (Oct. 5) -- The NCAA Men's and Women's Skiing Committee has selected the University of Alaska Anchorage to host the 2002 National Collegiate Men's and Women's Skiing Championships. Mt. Alyeska will be the site of the alpine events and Kincaid Park will be the site of the nordic events. The dates of the championship are March 6-9, 2002.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to host this championship," said Dr. Steve Cobb, UAA Athletic Director. "I want to especially thank Coach Paul Crews and the skiing community of Anchorage for their efforts in helping to make this happen. It is an honor for us to host this prestigious event, and we look forward to putting on a first class championship in 2002."
UAA previously hosted the NCAA Men's and Women's Skiing Championships in 1987.
"The collegiate skiing community was very impressed with our facilities when we hosted in '87," said UAA Head Ski Coach Paul Crews. "We are all pleased that we have finally been awarded another opportunity to host this championship."
"Conducting the championship in Alaska will be an unparalleled experience for the participating student-athletes due to the world class venues, community support and travel to a part of the country with a unique culture and topography that most student-athletes never have the opportunity to visit," said George Brooks, chair of the committee and head skiing coach at the University of New Mexico. "Alaska has a long standing tradition and history of supporting skiing championship events including NCAA championships, U.S. National Championships, Winter Special Olympics, World Junior Championships, World Cup events and Olympic training. The NCAA once again has demonstrated its commitment to an excellent championship site and the significance of an educational factor in the whole experience."
The 2001 NCAA Men's and Women's Skiing Championships will be held in Middlebury, Vermont and hosted by Middlebury College, March 7-10. The alpine events for that championship are scheduled for the Middlebury Snow Bowl and the nordic events will be held at the Rikert Ski Touring Center.
