Media Contacts:
Jhon Guarin, Athletic Communications Coordinator
(m) 914-943-6947, jguarin@sjfc.edu
Rachel Laber, Visit Rochester
(m) 585-736-1989, rachel@visitrochester.com
Rochester to Host 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
NCAA DIII Track & Field Championships Begin May 25 at St. John Fisher University
Rochester, N.Y., May 24, 2023 – Just days after the thrilling conclusion of the 2023 PGA Championships in Rochester, the city now prepares to host the largest NCAA DIII event in the country, beginning May 25. The 2023 Division III Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held May 25-27 at the Polisseni Track and Field Complex at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY.
The NCAA III Track & Field event is expected to draw more than 1,000 student-athletes, coaches, staff and parents to the Rochester area. The event is co-hosted by St. John Fisher University and Visit Rochester.
Student-athletes for this event are traveling to Rochester from around the country to compete in events including hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, long jump, shot put, high jump, steeple chase as well as meter and relay races.
Championships are open to the public; tickets are $10 for students and seniors, $15 for adults; and all session passes are also available.
“The NCAA has been so grateful for the partnership of the Rochester NY Sports Commission, Visit Rochester and St. John Fisher University,” said Laura Peterson-Mlynski, Associate Director of Championships, NCAA. “We have had a great relationship over the last few years and we know the championship is going to a great experience for the athletes and all who attend. We look forward to hosting more events in the Rochester area in the future.”
“We are proud to partner with Visit Rochester to provide a true championship environment for these exceptional student-athletes and we are grateful for the opportunity to showcase the Polisseni Track and Field Complex, our campus, and the surrounding Rochester community,” said Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of St. John Fisher University. “We wish all the student-athletes competing this weekend the best of luck; arriving at this point in the athletic season – the NCAA Division III Championships - is a true testament to their commitment to sport, excellence, and striving to be the very best.”
“Rochester is thrilled to welcome the NCAA DIII Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships to our community. This NCAA event represents the largest gathering of student-athletes that one city can host – and we’re honored to showcase Rochester to athletes, staff and families this week,” said Don Jeffries, Visit Rochester President & CEO. “We thank the NCAA for selecting Rochester as the host site for the Track & Field Championships and our partners at St. John Fisher University for its excellent facilities, track and field program and athletics staff that will make this event such a success.”
It is projected that the Track & Field event will generate an economic impact of more than $1.6 million for Monroe County (source: Destinations International Economic Impact Calculator). The overall economic impact of the tourism and hospitality industry in Monroe County is nearly $1 billion and responsible for 20,000 jobs (source: Tourism Economics). Sports events, including the NCAA Track & Field Championships, represent a growing segment of visitors to Rochester. The Rochester NY Sports Commission is the sports development arm of Visit Rochester, responsible for bringing new and returning sporting events to the Greater Rochester community.
PHOTO OPP: Catch Fisher Athletes in Action
Media is invited to attend the Championships throughout the weekend. Five Fisher student-athletes qualified for and will compete in several events:
- Veronica Duell and Michaela Kurbs in the Women’s Long Jump - 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 25
- Ciarra Franz in the 100M Hurdle – 5:15 on Friday, May 26 (prelims); 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 27 (finals)
- Sam Shea in the 400M Race – 5:45 p.m. on Friday, May 26 (prelims); 2:20 p.m. on Saturday, May 27 (finals)
- Kenn King in the Discus – 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 25
- Kenn King in the Shotput – 4 p.m. on Friday, May 26
Events on the track start at 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Field events go on throughout the weekend, beginning at 10 a.m.
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About St. John Fisher University
St. John Fisher University is a liberal arts institution that provides a transformative education to approximately 3,800 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students each year. Across its five Schools, Fisher offers nearly 40 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing; 11 pre-professional programs; and master’s and doctoral programs in business, nursing, education, pharmacy, and public health. Located just beyond Rochester, New York, the University’s residential campus boasts a robust living and learning community and a successful intercollegiate athletics program.
An independent institution today, the University was founded by the Congregation of St. Basil in 1948 and remains true to its Catholic tradition. As Fisher moves forward into the next 75 years, it celebrates its Basilian heritage by embracing their motto, “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.”
About Visit Rochester
Visit Rochester is the official tourism promotion agency for Greater Rochester and Monroe County. Visit Rochester is a membership organization with over 400 members representing, lodging, retail, restaurants, services, and community organizations. Working together with our members and partners, our mission is to sell and market Greater Rochester as a preferred destination in order to grow and maximize visitor spending and to enhance the economy. For more information, www.visitrochester.com.
