The University of Alabama University Recreation Department will act as host of the tournament. Games will be played throughout the day and evening at the Recreational Fields Complex, located on Campus Drive next to the UA Student Recreation Center.

The NIRSA Collegiate Soccer Sport Club Championships provide the opportunity for the 32 best men's and women's collegiate club level soccer teams to compete for the national championship title.

Thirty-two to 40 men's and women's team will compete in the open division for the championship. Teams representing six nationwide regions compete in league and regional play to receive invitational bids, as well as qualifying rights for the national championships. Over 1000 student-athletes will be attending this event.

The mission of the NIRSA is to provide for the education and development of professional and student members and to foster quality recreational programs, facilities and services for diverse populations. NIRSA demonstrates its commitment to excellence by utilizing resources that promote ethical and healthy lifestyle choices.

"We are very excited to be hosts for such a worthwhile and positive experience for students around the country,” George Brown, director of University Recreation at UA, said. “Our staff and facilities are ready for the high caliber soccer and exuberance that an event of this stature will bring to our campus."

To learn more about the NIRSA Collegiate Soccer Sport Club Championships at UA, contact Mary Callender, NIRSA national sport programs director, at 541/766-8211 or mary@nirsa.org, or Kenneth Dunlap, University Recreation host committee chair, at 205/348-3906 or kdunlap@sa.ua.edu.

More general information on the NIRSA can be obtained by visiting their website at www.nirsa.org. For specific information about the championships, visit www.nirsa.net. Information on University of Alabama Recreation opportunities can be obtained at http://urec.sa.ua.edu.