NCAA Signs 25-Year Agreement with College World Series of Omaha Inc.
NCAA President Cites ‘Willingness to Dream’

(OMAHA, Neb.  June 10, 2008) – The NCAA Men’s College World Series will continue in Omaha through 2035 under the terms of an unprecedented contract agreement signed today, according to Jack Diesing Jr., president of College World Series of Omaha Inc. The new 25-year agreement will go into effect in 2011 when the Series moves from Rosenblatt Stadium to the new 24,000-seat ballpark in downtown Omaha.

“This agreement to extend the great tradition of the Road to Omaha until the year 2035 is the result of the historic partnership between the City of Omaha and the NCAA over the past 59 years,” Diesing announced. “No other NCAA championship comes even close to the longevity the College World Series has enjoyed in Omaha. Today, the Series represents one of the signature events in college athletics and we’re excited to keep it in Omaha for the next quarter century.”

“Clearly, the relationship between the NCAA and the City of Omaha is one built on mutual trust, success over an extended period of time and a willingness to dream of an even better future,” said NCAA President Myles Brand. “Omaha’s decision to build a new stadium in the heart of downtown is another example of the city’s innovative approach to enhancing the relationship and a commitment to college baseball. It is unique in intercollegiate athletics and for the NCAA championships program.”

"The unprecedented nature of this agreement is an indication of the confidence the NCAA has in the sponsoring organizations, the City of Omaha and the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA), to provide the best possible championship experience for the student-athletes, NCAA member organizations and fans," Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey noted.

“An agreement may be for a few years if the championship has been at one site for a long time, but it’s unheard of to have a 25-year agreement,” Fahey acknowledged. “No NCAA championship at any level has remained in one location even close to the 59 years the Men’s College World Series has been in Omaha.”

Citing the strong relationship between the NCAA and the Qwest Center, Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA) President David Sokol congratulated everyone involved with extending the NCAA/Omaha relationship to 2035. MECA is part of the stadium design advisory committee and will work with the NCAA to market naming rights, suites and club seats under the agreement.
 
Creighton Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen, representing university president, the Reverend John Schlegel –  who could not attend the contract signing ceremony – expressed appreciation to all of the entities involved in past, present and future College World Series in Omaha. “We deeply value our relationship with the NCAA, especially the administration present today—both Myles Brand and Dennis Poppe, whom we consider trusted friends,” Rasmussen shared. “We are also honored to play a small part in representing this great City of Omaha, CWS Inc., and MECA.”

“This agreement is a testament to Omaha’s commitment to providing the NCAA with the best experience and venue for this championship event,” Diesing added. “Our partnership has stood the test of time as each year the people of Omaha set new attendance records and support the best college baseball teams in the country.

“The people of Omaha can be proud of what this contract signing represents for the city and future generations who will enjoy this world-class stadium and The Road to Omaha for the next quarter-century.”

College World Series of Omaha Inc. is a non-profit organization and the local organizing committee for the annual NCAA® Division I Men’s College World Series®. The 2008 Men’s College World Series® will start on Saturday, June 14, with the first game of the Series Finals beginning on Monday, June 23. The new schedule has the Series concluding on Tuesday, June 24, or Wednesday, June 25.

About the NCAA®
The NCAA® is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 380,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA® championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit www.ncaa.org and www.ncaa.com for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes. The NCAA® is proud to have the following elite companies as official Corporate Champions—AT&T, Coca-Cola and Pontiac—and the following elite companies as official Corporate Partners—DiGiorno, Enterprise, The Hartford, Lowe’s and State Farm.