UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA SELECTED TO HOST 2012 NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S BASKETBALL REGIONAL AT WELLS FARGO ARENA IN DES MOINES

Des Moines, IA
- The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship Committee announced Tuesday, October 26 that the University of Northern Iowa has been selected as one of four hosts for the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Regional Championships at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA. The NCAA Committee awarded Fresno, CA; Kingston, RI; and Raleigh, NC as the other Regional sites in 2012. Tickets for the 2012 Regionals will go on sale at a later date.

The Des Moines Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was comprised of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau (GDMCVB), Des Moines Area Sports Commission (DMASC), University of Northern Iowa (UNI), Global Spectrum and Polk County.

"Anytime we can land an event with the NCAA, it proves that Des Moines is becoming well-known in hosting high impact, national events," said Greg Edwards, President/CEO of the GDMCVB. "Plus, it's a perk for local basketball fans as they can see, in person, one of the teams that will advance to the Final Four."

"We're thrilled to be selected as one of only four host institutions for the 2012 Division I Women's Basketball Regionals," UNI Athletics Director Troy Dannen said. "Hosting the games in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena will provide our fans a chance to travel to Central Iowa and for UNI to partner with the NCAA, Wells Fargo Arena and the City of Des Moines on one of the NCAA's most celebrated events."

Wells Fargo Arena last hosted the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball First and Second Rounds in 2008 and had the highest attendance out of all eight sites. This is the first time the Regional rounds have been awarded to Wells Fargo Arena. Des Moines hosted the 2008 NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium, with return trips scheduled for 2011 and 2012. This past June Wells Fargo Arena was awarded the 2013 Division I Wrestling Championships.

Des Moines has become a city known for executing high level sporting events in previous years, including the AAU Junior Olympics, Drake Relays, USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, High School Girls and Boys State Basketball Championships, High School State Wrestling Championships and the World Disc Golf Championships.

"We are excited that the NCAA has selected Wells Fargo Arena as one of four sites for the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Regional," said Global Spectrum's Matt Homan, General Manager of Wells Fargo Arena. "We felt after the success of hosting the 2008 first and second rounds that we would be a strong host site for the Regionals. We thank the NCAA for their confidence in us, and look forward to working with all of our partners on this prestigious event."

For more information, including a press release from NCAA, visit http://www.ncaa.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/102610aab.html.

Wells Fargo Arena Press Contact:
Adam Flack, Wells Fargo Arena
(515) 418-2618 cell
(515) 564-8031 office
aflack@iowaeventscenter.com

University of Northern Iowa Press Contact:
Colin McDonough
(319) 415-4059 cell
colin.mcdonough@uni.edu

Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau/Des Moines Area Sports Commission:

Tiffany Tauscheck
(515) 491-9350 cell
tiffany@desmoinescvb.com