ESSENTIAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT LINKS
Upper Iowa University is the host for this year's NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 10-11, 2023. The Peacock athletics department will work together with the staff at Cedar Rapids Tourism to host the event.
"We are excited and proud to have been awarded the 2023 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships," said Upper Iowa's Vice President for Athletics Rick Hartzell. "We see the NCAA's selection of Upper Iowa and Cedar Rapids as a final compliment to the work that we have done in our past three NCAA Division II Championships together in Cedar Rapids. We are looking forward to beginning the planning process with Cedar Rapids Tourism to showcase not only the sport of wrestling, but the great people and personalities of Iowa, as we put together an epic event for all involved."
Upper Iowa and Cedar Rapids have teamed up to host three NCAA Division II Championships in the last thirteen years including the 2008 and 2018 Wrestling and 2013 Women's Volleyball NCAA Division II Championships at the U.S. Cellular Center, now the Alliant Energy PowerHouse, with great success. Following their first joint effort, UIU was awarded the Duane Kramer Sports Tourism Award in 2008 for hosting an event that attracted a significant number of visitors to the Cedar Rapids area.
"The response of our membership, host cities and local organizing committees to this process was tremendous," said Joni Comstock, NCAA senior vice president of championships. "Thanks to their commitment, we are excited that our student-athletes will play in some of the top locations and venues in the United States."
The 2023 Wrestling Championships will take place in the Alliant Energy PowerHouse and the Cedar Rapids Convention Complex, and while many hotels will serve the event, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel will house the student-athletes and coaches. The Alliant Energy PowerHouse and Cedar Rapids Convention Complex is an ideal venue for the NCAA DII Wrestling Championships. Their experienced and professional staff will help create a memorable competition for the student-athletes and thousands of fans expected at the Championship.
"Hosting NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships is a great collaboration between Upper Iowa University and Cedar Rapids," said Erik Hudson, Director of Sports Tourism at the Cedar Rapids Tourism Office. "Eastern Iowa wrestling fans will have the opportunity to view the competition close to home, and spending by athletes and spectators will provide a boost to the local economy."
The Cedar Rapids Tourism Office markets the Cedar Rapids area as a destination for tourism, conventions, meetings, sports events and special events through the active solicitation of tournament directors, convention and meeting planners, and through engagement with leisure travelers. The Tourism Office attracts events to the Cedar Rapids area that will continue to be the economic driver for hotels, restaurants and local businesses.
The 2023 NCAA Division II Championships will take place on Friday and Saturday, March 10-11, 2023. The Championships will feature 180 of the best wrestlers in the country from the nation's six regions. Eighteen student-athletes will compete in each weight class to make up the total field of wrestlers.
MEDIA CREDENTIALS
To apply for Media Credentials, please use the following link:
https://www.ncaa.com/media-credentials
NCAA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Super Region One - Hosted by East Stroudsburg
Super Region Two - Hosted by UNC Pembroke
Super Region Three - Hosted by Tiffin
Super Region Four - Hosted by Central Oklahoma
Super Region Five - Hosted by Northern State
Super Region Six - Hosted by Chadron State
PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO
A pre-tournament press conference featuring the head coaches from the top five ranked teams and Heath Grimm of Upper Iowa and the top ranked wrestler from each weight class will be held on Thursday, Mar. 9 starting at 12:00 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the press conference live at the following link: NCAA DII Wrestling Championships Pre-Tournament Press Conference
DIRECTIONS/PARKING/MAPS
The Alliant Energy PowerHouse is located at 370 1st Avenue NE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (52401). MAP
Directions to the Alliant Energy PowerHouse:
From the Eastern Iowa Airport, IA
» Depart Arthur Collins Pkwy SW toward Walford Rd (0.3 mi.)
» Turn left onto 18th St SW, and then immediately turn right onto Wright Brothers Blvd SW (1.1 mi.)
» Keep straight onto IA-84 / Wright Brothers Blvd SW (0.4 mi.)
» Take ramp left for US-218 North / IA-27 North / I-380 North toward Cedar Rapids (6.6 mi.)
» At exit 20B, take ramp right for 7th St E toward U.S. Cellular Center (0.2 mi.)
» Turn right onto 7th St NE (0.1 mi.)
» Turn right onto US-151 Branch / IA-922 / 1st Ave NE (0.2 mi.)
» Arrive at US-151 Branch / IA-922 / 1st Ave NE (0.0 mi.)
Distance from Hotel: 9.0 mi.
Travel Time: 13 min.
From the North on I-380
» Take I-380 South / IA-27 South toward Cedar Rapids (15.0 mi.)
» At exit 20B, take ramp right for C Ave NE toward 7th St E / U.S. Cellular Center (0.3 mi.)
» Turn left onto 7th St NE (0.2 mi.)
» Turn right onto US-151 Branch / IA-922 / 1st Ave NE (0.2 mi.)
» Arrive at US-151 Branch / IA-922 / 1st Ave NE (0.0 mi.)
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