Tampa Bay Prepares to Host Two NCAA Division II Championships

TAMPA, FL  - The Tampa Bay Sports Commission (TBSC), alongside local NCAA Division II institutions, Saint Leo University (Lions) and the University of Tampa (Spartans), will host a pair of NCAA Division II Championships over the course of November and December. 

On Saturday, November 20, the TBSC and Saint Leo will welcome over 600 collegiate men’s and women’s runners to the Abbey Course to compete in the 2021 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships. The Saint Leo women’s team secured their spot in the race by finishing second in the NCAA South Region Championship on November 6. Two Lions’ men’s runners also punched their ticket to the prestigious run. The two entities successfully hosted the championship for the first time in 2016. Race times are still to be determined, however, course information, tickets, and other critical championship updates can be found at the event’s official site, NCAA.com/Tickets.

Next, the TBSC and the University of Tampa Spartans will tag team on hosting the area’s second-ever NCAA Division II Volleyball National Championship (2015). Taking place at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center on December 9-11, eight of the best teams in the nation will compete for the nation’s ultimate prize. The Spartans have paced the AVCA Division II top-25 poll for the majority of the season, as have regional foe West Florida and Sunshine State Conference opponent, Nova Southeastern. Teams heading to Tampa Bay will be confirmed following regional action which is set to occur December 3-5. Tickets, schedule information and visitor information can be found at DIIvolleyball.com. 

This will mark the seventh time Tampa Bay has hosted an NCAA Division II Championship, including five in the last six years. In addition to cross country and volleyball twice apiece, Tampa Bay hosted back-to-back men’s and women’s soccer championships in 2008 and 2009, as well as the highly regarded 2018 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse National Championship in 2018. 

The pair of championships also kick off a stretch of six signature NCAA events, which also includes the 2023 Division I Men’s Frozen Four, 2023 Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship, 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Final Four, and 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds.

In 2023, Tampa Bay will have the unique opportunity to host the Men’s Frozen Four and Women’s Volleyball Championship in the same calendar year, both at Amalie Arena. This marks Tampa Bay’s third time hosting the Men’s Frozen Four (2012, 2016, 2023) and second time hosting the Women’s Volleyball Championship (2009, 2023), the fourth Women’s Final Four (2008, 2015, 2019. 2025), and the fourth NCAA March Madness hosting effort (2003, 2008, 2011, 2026).

For additional news surrounding the TBSC, visit tampabaysports.org. Fans are also encouraged to follow @sportstampabay on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for continuous event updates and all breaking news.