1A DIVISION 2 STATE BASKETBALL TOURNEY MOVED FROM HAYS TO DODGE CITY

1A DIVISION TWO STATE TOURNEY MOVED FROM HAYS TO DODGE CITY

HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State University announced today, with the recent
success of its women’s basketball program and in mutual agreement with the
Kansas State High School Activities Association, the Kansas Class 1A
Division II State Basketball Tournament will be moved to United Wireless
Arena in Dodge City this year.

The move comes in support of the Fort Hays State University women’s
basketball team and its potential to host the NCAA Central Regional. The
Tiger women currently hold a record of 20-1 overall and 12-0 in the MIAA.
They were ranked third in the WBCA Division II National Poll, released
Tuesday.

While the 1A Division II high school tournament is scheduled for March
11-14, the NCAA Regional dates are March 13, 14, and 16. The conflicting
dates do not allow for both tournaments to run simultaneously at FHSU’s
Gross Memorial Coliseum, since the NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional must be
played on the dates designated by the NCAA.

In order to secure the alternate site of Dodge City in advance, the
decision needed to be made prior to the Fort Hays State women’s basketball
team securing the No. 1 seed in the Central Region. The NCAA regional host
is not officially determined until a few days prior to the start of the
state high school tournament in March.

Given the success of the FHSU women’s basketball team, the decision to make
the hosting opportunity available is a show of support for the efforts and
success of the FHSU women’s program. The team enters February with the top
record in the Central Region.

Dr. Mirta M. Martin, FHSU President, said it was unfortunate the university
would not be able to accommodate both tournaments, and the decision had to
be made now. “We greatly value our relationships with Kansas high schools
and with the KSHSAA, and we look forward to hosting all types of high
school events in the future, but obviously our first loyalty must be to our
own student-athletes.”

Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke also noted the long-standing relationship
between FHSU and the Kansas State High School Activities Association and
its staff members. “We have worked diligently together over many years to
accommodate various state events around FHSU events,” he said. “This year,
however, the conflicts related to hosting the NCAA women’s basketball
regional have created a new set of challenges that we cannot resolve in the
best interests of all involved. This decision allows us to support the
outstanding accomplishments of our women’s basketball team this year, while
not compromising the format of the 1A Division II high school state
tournament.”

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