Women's Basketball Southern Conference

Chattanooga To Host Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.---The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was awarded
the NCAA Women's Basketball Mideast Regional for 2005, the NCAA announced
July 11.

Chattanooga's 11,218-seat McKenzie Arena, along with The Liacouras Center
in Philadelphia, Pa., Municipal Coliseum in Kansas City, Mo., and Bank of
America Arena in Seattle, Wash., were approved by the NCAA Division I
Championships/Competition Cabinet for the 2005 NCAA event.

"This is a tribute to The Sports Committee and their history of running
successful events and building a relationship with the NCAA," UTC athletics
director Steve Sloan said. "I am thrilled to get this news and learn our
wonderful university will serve as co-host."

The 2005 Regional will be held March 26 and 28 or March 27 and 29. The
Regional will consist of four second-round winners. The Regional Champion
advances to the Women's Final Four at either Conseco Fieldhouse or the RCA
Dome in Indianapolis, Ind. The bid was prepared in conjunction by The
Greater Chattanooga Sports and Events Committee and UTC.

"When you talk about high profile events, this has to be at or near the top
for Chattanooga," Sports Committee President Merrill Eckstein said. "I'm
sure our success in hosting the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship
Game and the NCAA Men's Golf Championship played a big part in their
decision."

The Sports Committee and UTC have partnered together to host the I-AA
Football Championship every December since 1997 and will again host this
year's event Dec. 20 at Finley Stadium. The two combined to host the 1996
Men's Golf Championship.