A championship in one of the oldest and most revered sports in the world is up for bid The United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) is seeking a host for its USCAA Track & Field Championships in 2026 and 2027 (and maybe other years as well).
Events include both track events (races of varying lengths and formats), jumps (high, long, triple) and field events (javelin, discus, hammer, etc.)
USCAA Track & Field Championships have grown out of the Track & Field Invitationals (combined women & men) which have been well attended by member institutions over the last 5-7 years.
The RFP is open to member institutions, qualifying cities, CVBs and sports commissions. While not required, preference will be given to CVBs and sports commissions whose bid includes the support of a USCAA member institution. A list of those institutions can be found here.
Timeline:
- Intent to Bid: Due November 15 , 2024
- Official Proposal: Due December 1, 2024
- Site Announcement: January 15, 2025
The Track & Field National Championships are held in the final weekend in April. 2025: April 25-27
2026: April 24-26
2027: April 23-25
While the RFP indicates 2026/27, the event is also open for 2025.
Venue Needs:
- An NCAA collegiate regulation track
- An NCAA collegiate regulation throwing facility
- All events should be able to hosted at the same and/or adjacent facilities.
- Minimum seating capacity of 500
- Area for team setup and staging
- Press box or similar facilities to allow for livestreaming
- Hardline Internet
- Locker rooms onsite for both men and women
- Concessions area. Area for staff and VIP hospitality
- Vendor/sponsor area for a minimum of four (4) vendors, electrical access required
- Parking for up to 500 fans plus area charter bus parking
- Athletic training area
Banquet Facilities Needed: The USCAA is seeking a banquet facility to host 250-300 student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans equipped with AV equipment for awards presentations National All-Academic Team End of the Year Awards
The goals of the event are to enhance the championship experience for USCAA student-athletes, generate a larger economic footprint in the host city, and generate content that benefits the community, its businesses, local non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders.
In the last several years the event has been hosted in Albany, NY and Springfield, MA.
Hotel Needs: The specific requirements of a host hotel are detailed in the RFP; however, in brief, an affordable property convenient to the competition site is needed with an athlete-friendly hot breakfast.
Full details can be found on the RFP, available for free download at this link
Background on the USCAA: The United States Collegiate Athletic Association was formed in 2001, as a reformation of the National Small College Athletic Association, which dates back to 1966. The association continues the mission of providing opportunities for small colleges across the United States to compete against like institutions for National Championships and student-athlete recognition. Since 2006, the USCAA has grown from 42 member institutions to over 80in 2019.
Each year, the association hosts seventeen championship events in Golf, Men’s Soccer (D1 & D2), Women’s Soccer (D1 & D2), Volleyball (D1& D2), Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Basketball (D1& D2), Women’s Basketball (D1 & D2), Basketball, Men’s & Women’s Track and Field, Softball, & Baseball. More than 70% of USCAA member institutions that were eligible qualified to compete in one or more USCAA National Championship in 2023-24.
More information is available from BJ Bertges (412-480-4789, bj.bertges@theuscaa.com)
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