OLD DOMINION TO HOST CAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENTS

The Colonial Athletic Association women's basketball tournament will return to Old Dominion University for the next three years, as announced May 25 by CAA commissioner Tom Yeager.

"The interest in women's basketball in Norfolk is the best in the conference and we look forward to returning to Old Dominion to showcase our tournament.," says Yeager.

Old Dominion averaged 4,050 fans for its home women's basketball games in 1999-00, ranking them 17th in the nation in women's basketball attendance. The Lady Monarchs have won an NCAA record nine consecutive CAA tiles. The tournament has been held in Richmond for the past four years, after having been played at the Fieldhouse in 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996.

"The support and loyalty of our fans is instrumental in the success of our women's basketball program, and has played a strong role in our securing the bid for this tournament," says Athletic Director Jim Jarrett. "We look forward to hosting this event at Old Dominion and having capacity crowds."

The 2001 tournament will feature the fourth vs. the fifth seed and third vs. sixth seed on March 8 at the Fieldhouse. The winners of those games will meet the No. 1 and 2 seeds in the semifinals on March 9 and the championship game will be played on March 10.

In addition to hosting the women's basketball tournament, the CAA also awarded the 2000 field hockey tournament to Old Dominion. It will be held November 3-5 at Foreman Field.

The Virginia Beach Sportsplex will serve as the site of the 2000 CAA men's and women's soccer tournaments for the third consecutive year, with the women's event held Nov. 2, 3 and 5 and the men's tournament Nov. 9, 10 and 12.

Ticket books for the CAA women's basketball tournament are available now at a discounted rate of $20, with the purchase of an Old Dominion women's basketball season ticket. For more information, contact the ticket office at 683-4444.