NIAGARA COLLEGE TO HOST 2013 CCAA MEN'S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Niagara College announced today that it has been selected to host the 2013 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Volleyball Championships.

The top eight teams in Canadian Men's Collegiate Volleyball will face off at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre March 7-9, 2013 to compete for the national championship. The championship will bring hundreds of student athletes, coaches and fans to Welland.

Niagara College's successful bid to host the championships follows its successful hosting of the 2011 CCAA Women's Basketball Championships – one of the first major sporting events held at NC's new Welland Campus Athletic Centre, along with the 2011 Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) AAA Girl's Volleyball Championships. Niagara College has also hosted successful Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Men's Volleyball and Basketball Championships.

Niagara College's bid to host the CCAA Men's Volleyball Championships received the unanimous support of the CCAA board, said Sandra Murray-MacDonell, CCAA Executive Director.

"Niagara College has a reputation of hosting superb event, most recently the 2011 CCAA Women's Basketball National Championships," said Murray-MacDonell. "It is comforting to know the host committee can provide a standard of excellence both technically and administratively that is second to none."

"We're excited to be selected to host the 2013 CCAA Men's Volleyball Championships, and look forward to welcoming the best of collegiate volleyball in 2013," said Niagara College's Acting President Steve Hudson. "Our Athletic Centre was built to host provincial and national-level sporting events, and we're pleased to bring such a high-profile championship to our community."

Niagara College's Athletic Centre opened in 2011 at the Welland Campus. It includes a double-varsity gymnasium with seating for 1,000 spectators, as well as expanded fitness and aerobics areas, central athletic therapy area, change rooms for athletes and officials, and a two-storey entry concourse.

Ironwood Wealth Management Group of Fonthill, a firm of independent financial advisors that serves the Niagara Region, was also introduced as the title sponsor for the CCAA Men's Volleyball Championships. Further sponsorship opportunities are available for the championships at a variety of levels. For more information, contact Ray Sarkis, Tournament Chair, at 905 735-2211 ext. 7583 or rsarkis@niagaracollege.ca.

Like the 2011 CCAA Women's Basketball Championships, the 2013 CCAA Men's Volleyball Championships will be streamed live to a national audience.

Niagara College's Varsity Athletics Program was formed in 1969 and has won six national championships and 30 provincial championships. More than 120 student athletes compete on Niagara College's six varsity sports teams, including men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, and men's and women's volleyball. Niagara College athletics also includes five tournament teams, including men's and women's and mixed curling and men's and women's golf. The Niagara Knights compete in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Western Region.

With 9,000 students, Niagara College offers more than 100 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics.

Source: Niagara College