Nov. 7, 2007

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is proud to partner with the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and MidAmerica Nazarene University to present the 49th Annual NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship held at the College Boulevard Activities Center (CBAC) in Olathe, Kan. November 14-20, 2007. Over 500 student-athletes and coaches from the United States and Canada will travel to play in this 20-team single elimination tournament with the national championship title awarded on November 20 at 7 p.m. (CT).

"The NAIA is excited to partner with the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and MidAmerica Nazarene University to host a national championship event that is memorable for our student-athletes and fans," said NAIA men's soccer championship administrator Scott McClure. "The weeklong frenzy will feature top competition and carry on the tradition of soccer in the NAIA. I am confident that our hosts will engage the community and put together a first class event."

Festivities get underway at the opening banquet on Tuesday, November 13 at the Cook Center on the campus of MidAmerica Nazarene University beginning at 7 p.m. During the event the NAIA will induct Rockhurst Head Coach Tony Tocco into the NAIA Hall of Fame and present a Champions of Character award to one player on each participating team.

Over half of the NAIA teams participating in the tournament will visit area students in the Olathe School District on Wednesday and Thursday. The student-athletes will present the NAIA's flagship program Champions of Character at the following schools: Arbor Creek Elementary, Havencroft Elementary, Indian Creek Elementary, Bentwood Elementary, Black Bob Elementary, Cedar Creek Elementary, Scarborough Elementary, Ravenwood Elementary, Meadow Lane Elementary, Rolling Ridge Elementary and Tomahawk Elementary. The Olathe School District is very involved in the Champions of Character program and it is a standing tradition that visiting NAIA teams travel to local schools to meet and present character education. 

Game day action gets underway on Wednesday, November 14 at CBAC beginning at noon (CT). MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) receives an automatic berth in the tournament as host of the event. Other institutions clinching a spot in the tournament bracket by winning its region tournament include Covenant (Ga.), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical (Fla.), Maine-Fort Kent and Simon Fraser (B.C.). The complete tournament bracket and pairings will be released Friday, November 9 on www.naia.org.

The entire tournament will be video streamed live via the Internet on JumpTV Sports, formerly XOS Technologies. Fans interested in purchasing the entire tournament or single games may do so by visiting www.watchNAIA.com. Tickets to the tournament are $10 for adults and $5 for students per day and may be purchased at the gate. Children under the age of five are admitted for free. To order game tickets in advance contact the Olathe Chamber Convention and Visitors Bureau at 913-764-1050. 

For up-to-date tournament results, game summaries, box scores and live stats visit www.naia.org.

2007 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship | Tournament Schedule (All times Central)
Wednesday (11/14): 12 p.m., 2:15 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Thursday (11/15): 12 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m.
Friday (11/16): 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
Saturday (11/17): 12 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m. (Quarterfinals) 
Sunday (11/18): NO PLAY
Monday (11/19): 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (Semifinals)
Tuesday (11/20): 7 p.m. (Finals)

About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association's innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves.