May 14, 2009

NCAA RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS--- The NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Committee has selected Santa Barbara, Calif., to serve as the host for the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship, which will take place Dec. 10 and 12, 2010.  Hosted by the University of California, Santa Barbara, the 2010 Men’s Soccer Championship will be played at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium. It marks the first time UC Santa Barbara will host the event, but the sixth time the championship will take place in the state of California (2005-Carson, 1981-Palo Alto, 1977- Berkeley, 1969-San Jose, 1966-Berkeley).

"This is tremendous news," said Mark Massari, UC Santa Barbara director of athletics. "UCSB, Santa Barbara and the central coast area is a great choice for celebrating the NCAA Men's College Cup. Now the fun begins and we look forward to working with our local community and civic leaders to make this event a huge success. We are on the national stage."

“The committee is very excited to bring the NCAA Men's College Cup back to the west coast with UC Santa Barbara hosting in 2010.  Their reputation as a premier soccer venue, drawing record crowds in a location known for great weather makes UC Santa Barbara not only an ideal selection to host the NCAA Men’s College Cup, but will help to continue to foster the sport's growth,” said Charlie Elwood, chair of the Division I Men's Soccer Committee and director of athletic administration at Fordham University.

“We are so pleased and honored that the NCAA and the NCAA Men’s Soccer Committee has awarded the 2010 NCAA Men’s College Cup to UC Santa Barbara,” said Henry T. Yang, UC Santa Barbara Chancellor. “This is such an exciting opportunity for a great soccer community.  I applaud our intercollegiate athletics director Mark Massari, head coach Tim Vom Steeg, our coaching staff, our student-athletes, and all of our devoted Gaucho alumni and fans for their contributions to this successful bid.”

For more information on the NCAA Divisions I Men’s Soccer Championship, log on to NCAA.com.