Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics
By Bridget (Weide) Brooks
If you’ve looked at this weekend’s NCAA Regional in Sioux Falls and wondered:
“Why is Omaha the host school… when Augustana is literally in Sioux Falls?”
Here’s the answer.
It Started With a Bid (Back in 2020)
Omaha didn’t “get chosen” recently.
The Mavericks earned the right to host this regional years ago.
In October 2020, the NCAA awarded Omaha Athletics the opportunity to host regionals in both 2024 and 2026, in partnership with the Sioux Falls Sports Authority.
At the time, this was a forward-looking bid as part of a multi-year championship site selection process.
And here’s the key detail: Augustana didn’t have a Division I hockey program yet. Their program didn’t begin play until the 2023-24 season.
When this bid was submitted and approved, Augustana wasn’t in the picture yet. So Omaha submitted the bid as the host institution.
What “Host School” Actually Means
This is where there are some misunderstandings.
Being the “host school” doesn’t mean the games are played on your campus. In fact, it’s pretty rare in college hockey — most regionals are held at neutral-site arenas that can handle the size, production, and NCAA requirements.
The host school is responsible for organizing and administering the event alongside the local organizing committee.
That includes working with the NCAA on operations, coordinating logistics and staffing, and supporting media, teams, and game-day execution.
The NCAA requires a member institution to serve in that role for every championship event.
In this case, that’s Omaha — partnered with the Sioux Falls Sports Authority.
That includes working with the NCAA on operations, coordinating logistics and staffing, and supporting media, teams, and game-day execution.
The NCAA requires a member institution to serve in that role for every championship event.
In this case, that’s Omaha — partnered with the Sioux Falls Sports Authority.
Why Sioux Falls Works as a Site
Even though Omaha is the host institution, Sioux Falls is the host city — and the games are played at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.
The Denny Sanford Premier Center seats over 10,000 for hockey. It’s where the Sioux Falls Stampede plays. The arena previously hosted an NCAA Regional in 2018.
When Omaha considered making a bid, there was already proof that the arena worked for a regional and that the city and Sioux Falls Sports Commission supported the event.
Why 2028 Is Different
Fast forward a few years, and now Augustana hockey exists. Which is why it’s unlikely Omaha will serve as the host in Sioux Falls again.
Even though Omaha is the host institution, Sioux Falls is the host city — and the games are played at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.
The Denny Sanford Premier Center seats over 10,000 for hockey. It’s where the Sioux Falls Stampede plays. The arena previously hosted an NCAA Regional in 2018.
When Omaha considered making a bid, there was already proof that the arena worked for a regional and that the city and Sioux Falls Sports Commission supported the event.
Why 2028 Is Different
Fast forward a few years, and now Augustana hockey exists. Which is why it’s unlikely Omaha will serve as the host in Sioux Falls again.
Augustana will serve as the host institution for the 2028 regional in Sioux Falls — at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.
So it’s not that Sioux Falls or the NCAA “chose Omaha over Augustana.”
Augustana as a Division I program didn’t exist in 2020 when the bid was submitted. Now that they’re established, they will host a future regional (2028).
One Important Benefit for Host Schools
One Important Benefit for Host Schools
Some fans wondered why a team would choose to submit a bid to host.
There’s a competitive upside tied to hosting.
If Omaha qualifies for the NCAA Tournament, the host institution is placed in its assigned regional — meaning you get sent to your site.
It was an advantage for Omaha in 2024, when making the NCAA Tournament meant a trip to Sioux Falls instead of an arena out east.
It’s too bad Omaha didn’t make the tournament this year, or I’d be writing this from a hotel in Sioux Falls instead of my living room couch.
It’s too bad Omaha didn’t make the tournament this year, or I’d be writing this from a hotel in Sioux Falls instead of my living room couch.
If you want to learn more, check out the NCAA Site Selection Process guide.
Previous Omaha NCAA Tournament regional appearances:
2006 – Worcester, MA
2011 – St. Louis, MO
2015 – South Bend, IN
2021 – Loveland, CO
2024 – Sioux Falls, SD (Omaha was the host)
No comments:
Post a Comment