Syracuse, NY awarded DIII championship bid
The NJCAA DIII Softball Championship returns to the Empire State for the first time in 15 years.
Charlotte, NC - Syracuse, NY will serve as the new home of the NJCAA Division III Softball Championship, moving back to the Empire State after a 15-year spell in Rochester, MN.
The awarded bid, announced Wednesday by the NJCAA will secure Syracuse as the tournament's host for at least three years; 2021, 2022, and 2023.
The tournament will be played at Carrier Park in the northeastern corner of the city, about a mile south of Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Herkimer, a national softball powerhouse situated about an hour east of the city will serve in the as tournament host institution. Herkimer has been a long-time host of the NJCAA DIII Men's Soccer Championship at its home on-campus stadium.
"We appreciate with much enthusiasm and excitement that the NJCAA is giving us the opportunity to host the 2021-2023 DIII women’s softball national championships to Central New York," stated Herkimer Athletic Director Donnie Dutcher. "Our staff will strive to offer a championship atmosphere that all student athletes, coaches and fans will cherish forever."
Town of DeWitt Supervisor Ed Michalenko commented, "Our thanks to the NJCAA for selecting our Carrier Park recreation facility as the site of the 2021-2023 softball championship tournaments. We are honored and excited to serve as host and look forward to a positive, powerful, and productive partnership with the NJCAA organization. " He added, "Given the challenges folks are facing right now, our commitment is to deliver a first class event that supports not only the NJCAA, players and their families, and our own community, but also provides much needed economic opportunities for the CNY region."
It's the first time New York has hosted an NJCAA softball championship tournament since Horseheads, NY hosted the 2005 edition of the event, where Brookdale (NJ) defeated SUNY Broome (NY) 3-0 in the final.
The facility just completed Phase 1 of a multi-phase project aimed at completing a fully handicapped accessible, all-inclusive outdoor multi-sports athletic complex.