The University of West Florida athletics department announced March 30, in partnership with Orange Beach, Ala., that it will be the host of the 2006 National Collegiate Athletics Association Division II Men's and Women's Soccer Championships.

The top four teams in the division for both men and women will compete at the Orange Beach Sportsplex for the national titles.

"It's a great feeling to know we will be hosting such a major event," said Bill Elliott, men's head soccer coach. "The most exciting part is knowing that you have a community and administration that are willing to support soccer."

This is not the first time UWF has played host to a national tournament. The University was the host of the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Tennis Championships in 1999, 2000 and 2001, NCAA Division II Softball National Championships in 1998 and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Softball Championship in 1990 and 1992.

"We feel very good about it," said UWF Associate Athletic Director Doug Palmer. "We have hosted six other collegiate championships before, so we feel very comfortable hosting such an event."

Preston Pooser, Orange Beach Parks and Recreation director, and Palmer will co-direct the tournament.

Pooser could not be reached for comment.

UWF and Orange Beach were chosen after Palmer devised and submitted a financial bid package, and Orange Beach received letters of support and put together a tourism package of hotels and attractions, Palmer said.

He also said that the NCAA likes to hold the championships in the same area for two consecutive years, so UWF may also play host to the 2007 national championship.

The Sportsplex was chosen as the location for the tournament because the NCAA requires at least 1,000 to 1,500 seats, locker rooms and other amenities the UWF Field House currently doesn't have. There were no sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa County that could meet the criteria, Palmer said.

"The Sportsplex in Orange Beach had hosted the SEC Women's Championship last year and got rave reviews from the teams there," Palmer said. "It is a unique location, and the teams will be able to stay directly on the beach and be only a five minute drive from the playing site."

Palmer said being co-host of the tournament will bring more exposure to the soccer programs and the University.

It should increase the visibility of both soccer and UWF athletics in both the community and the NCAA Division II, Elliott said.

"The advertising will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to athletics and the University," Palmer said.

Elliott said playing host to an event won't add any extra pressure for his team to succeed. He said his focus still remains on next season because they aren't the hosts of the championship for two years.

"It adds extra incentive, but not additional pressure," he said. "We put more pressure on ourselves to win than any outside event could."

Being chosen to be the host of the national championships will have a positive effect on soccer recruiting because the next two classes of recruits will play host to and possibly have the chance to play in the championships, Palmer said.

"It might entice a few extra recruits as the University has now shown a big commitment to soccer by upgrading the campus facility and going out and securing the National Championship," he said.

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