Visit Wichita, Stryker Sports Complex and the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference are teaming up to host the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships, which will be held at Stryker, Nov. 15-20, 2021.
24 teams (12 men’s and 12 women’s) —all from outside of Kansas and across the country —will be competing in Wichita. This is the first time NJCAA has held both divisions (men’s and women’s) at the same time in the same destination. The public can attend all competitions and can purchase tickets here.
Located in the heart of the country, Wichita has a long tradition of hosting a variety of sporting events and in recent years has elevated its sports repertoire by hosting a string of national championships in the past year, crowning 20 national champions, including:
- NAIA Wrestling National Championships (March 2021)
- NJCAA DI Men's Soccer National Championship (June 2021)
- NJCAA DII Men's Soccer National Championship (June 2021)
- NWBA Toyota Championship Series (June 2021)
- Beep Baseball World Series (July 2021)
Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita, says being selected to host NJCAA’s men’s and women’s national championships is important not only because it’s another opportunity to showcase Sedgwick County and Wichita’s world-class facilities and amenities, but it also solidifies Wichita’s ability to host national championships of all kinds.
“It was an honor to host NJCAA in June of this year, making it that much more impactful to be chosen again as the host for the NJCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Soccer National Championship," said Howell. "Our partnership with the NJCAA is an integral piece of creating sports tourism for Wichita and surrounding areas. We look forward to exposing teams, coaches and fans to all the Wichita area has to offer while cheering on the amazing student-athletes that make up the NJCAA.”
In addition to the national championships hosted in the past year, Wichita has also hosted numerous reputable sporting events over the past few years and have many more on the calendar. In 2018, Wichita was host to the first and second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as well as the US Figure Skating Synchronized Skating Sectionals for 2018 and 2020. Wichita also hosted the ECHL Hockey All-Star Game in 2020 and will host the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in 2022.
The brand-new multi-sport Stryker Complex, where the 12-team championships will be staged, is among the finest in the Midwest. With 11 fields – nine standard, one championship and one indoor – there is ample space to host this competition. The championship stadium features lights, a press box and large bleachers for spectator seating.
“We plan to put our best foot forward and provide a fantastic welcome to the athletes and their friends and family from across the country,” Howell said. “It’s also a great opportunity for Wichitans and those in the surrounding area to see athletes from all over the world competing right here in the heart of the country."
The NJCAA will sponsor 20 national championships this fall including semi-finals and finals in DI Football and the inaugural DIII Football title game. Seventeen of the championships will take place between November 11-20, with the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita hosting both DII Men’s and Women’s Soccer together – making it the first time the competitions will be held at the same location.
“We are excited to have Wichita hosting our soccer championships again this fall. After hosting both the Men’s DI and DII tournaments last June, this will be the first time for us hosting both the DII Men and Women together,” said NJCAA Director of Championships Rod Lovett. "24 teams, with 12 in each tournament, should make for an exciting week of soccer, with the two championship matches scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20.”
The NJCAA National Office, along with the NJCAA Health and Safety Council, has issued safety protocol recommendations for schools during competition. It is recommended that attendees adhere to safety practices.
About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the greater Wichita area as a major convention and tourism destination, thereby enhancing the economic development of the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2019 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.1 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area. Learn more at www.visitwichita.com.
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