University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
NCAA Releases Eight Sites For 2003 Regionals
4/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Monday, April 28, 2003
The eight regional sites, with host institutions are as follows: Tuscaloosa, Alabama (University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa); Tucson, Arizona (University of Arizona); Fullerton, California (California State University, Fullerton); Gainesville, Florida (University of Florida); Fresno, California (California State University, Fresno); Ann Arbor, Michigan (University of Michigan); Lincoln, Nebraska (University of Nebraska, Lincoln); Austin, Texas (University of Texas at Austin).
Each regional field will feature eight teams, playing a double-elimination format. All regional games are scheduled to be conducted Thursday, May 15, through Sunday, May 18.
This is the first time regional sites have been named in advance of the team selections in softball.
Site selections were based on geographic location, quality of facilities and quality of the experience for the student-athletes, including attendance history.
Host institutions are not guaranteed a bid to the tournament.
The at-large teams, top-eight national seeds and first-round regional pairings will be announced Sunday, May 11, at 10 p.m. Eastern time live on ESPNEWS.
The bracket, which will not be reseeded prior to the Women's College World Series, will be the first to include 64 teams, since the championship began in 1982. Last year's field included 48 teams.
Twenty-six Division I conferences receive an automatic berth in the field of 64, along with 38 at-large selections.
The 22nd Women's College World Series begins play Thursday, May 22, at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. All of the games will be broadcast live on ESPN or ESPN2, and the television schedule, as well as more information on the championship, is available at
http://www.ncaasports.com/.-30-
