Gulf Shores, Ala – May 17, 2012 –Thirty-teams are set for the 32nd annual NAIA Softball National Championship, starting Thursday from Gulf Shores, Ala. Action begins at 9 a.m., from the Gulf Shores SportsPlex as Brenau (Ga.) and Bethany (Kan.) kick off the event. There will be pool play format from Thursday through Saturday, with each club playing a total of three games. The eight pool-play champions will advance to the double-elimination bracket starting on May 21. The national champion will be crowned May 23.
The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Sports Commission, in conjunction with the University of Mobile (Ala.), are hosting for the second-straight time.
"The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission warmly welcomes the return of the NAIA Softball National Championship to the sugar-white sand of the Alabama Gulf Coast," said Beth Gendler, vice president of sales for the Commission. "When these student-athletes and family members are not at our beautiful sporting venues, they will have the opportunity to explore our family-oriented beaches, accommodations, restaurants, and attractions.” To learn more about the area, click here.
An all-tournament pass can be purchased for $30 or $8 per day for adults and $3 per day for children 4-10. All tickets can be purchased at the gate.
The current field is comprised of 23 automatic qualifiers based upon their conference / independent / unaffiliated group tournaments, eight at-large selections, which were determined using the final Top 25 rating released May 9 and the host berth, Mobile.
The Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), which has repeatedly landed six teams in the Coaches' Top 25 poll this season, qualified the most of any conference / independent / unaffiliated group with six. Representing the SSAC is Auburn Montgomery (Ala.), Brenau, Lee (Tenn.), Mobile, Shorter (Ga.) and William Carey (Miss.). The Sooner Athletic Conference sends four teams to Gulf Shores: Lubbock Christian (Texas), Oklahoma City, St. Gregory's (Okla.) and Southern Nazarene (Okla.).
Defending national champion Oregon Tech, who is out of the Cascade Collegiate Conference, looks to become the first team since Oklahoma City (2000-02) to repeat as titlists. The Hustlin' Owls take on Madonna (Mich.) at 5:30 p.m., on Thursday. No. 1-ranked Concordia (Calif.) meets up with newcomer Talladega (Ala.) at 2 p.m.
Talladega is one of six first-times at the National Championship, joining Auburn Montgomery, Bethany, Indiana Wesleyan, Southern Nazarene and Williams Baptist (Ark.). Conversely, there are 12 programs making at least their fifth National Championship. Of those teams, only Oklahoma City and Mobile are playing in the event for at least the 10th time.
Qualifying for its record 21st-straight National Championship, Oklahoma City owns the most national championships (8). With a 40-18 season record, the Stars have won more postseason games than any school in NAIA history (103-38) and seek their first title since 2007.
NeuLion, the NAIA's digital media partner and official video-streaming company of 10 select NAIA National Championship events, will be broadcasting select softball games from May 21 - 23. Once competition has pared down to six teams, starting with Game 9 at 5:30 p.m. on May 21, live streaming will be available for $9.95 per day or $29.95 for the whole event. For more video-streaming information, click here.
(Gulf Shores)
The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission is seeking volunteers for the NAIA Softball Championship to be held at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex on May 17 - 23, 2012. Volunteers are needed to assist in transporting game officials to the fields from the field house and assist with hospitality. Various times are available.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Sarah Hicks by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you may call her at 251-974-4611.
For the past two seasons, the Orange Beach Sportsplex was home to the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship. The 1,500 spectator venue opened in 2001 with renovated locker rooms and a pair of soccer fields. The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission has engineered numerous sporting events and sells Alabama’s Gulf Coast as one of the premier destinations.
“We are thrilled to welcome the NAIA Women’s National Soccer Championship,” Beth Gendler, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission Vice President of Sales said. “The Orange Beach Sportsplex has hosted the Men’s National Championship for the last two years and it is very exciting to be named the host city with the NAIA once again.”
In addition to hosting the NAIA Men’s and Women’s Soccer National Championships, the Sportsplex has welcomed the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Women’s Soccer Championship for eight-consecutive years, along with various levels of the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) World Series.
“This is a very prestigious honor for our Sports Commission and the teams work so hard all season to make it into the championship,” Gendler said. “We are excited to welcome the women’s championship for the next two years and show them the great southern hospitality everyone comes to enjoy while here in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. We hope this is a long term relationship with NAIA and that we have the opportunity to host these events for many years to come.”
There are over 200 NAIA member institutions that sponsor women’s soccer. The NAIA conducted its first women’s soccer National Championship in 1984 and has been contested in Alabama twice before. For the past three seasons, the event was held in Decatur, Ala., with Lee (Tenn.) winning all three titles. With their most recent title, the Lady Flames became the first program in NAIA women’s soccer history to win four-straight national championships. Mobile, Ala., also hosted the tournament in 1998.
About the NAIA: The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the governing body for athletics programs at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission is to advance character-driven intercollegiate athletics while promoting the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through sport participation. The association offers equitable access and opportunities to more than 60,000 student-athletes for the chance to compete in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.
Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association’s innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.
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