The NAIA has announced that Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will host the Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship at the Sanford Pentagon through 2020.
“Basketball is where it all began for the NAIA,” said Jim Carr, NAIA president and CEO, “and we are grateful to have such great hosts in the Sioux Falls Sports Authority, Dakota State and Northwestern College that continue to help us showcase this premier sport.”
Sioux Falls first hosted the event in 2018, with Indiana Wesleyan capturing its second title in five years.
“The Sioux Falls Sports Authority is extremely excited to extend its partnership with the NAIA and bring the Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship to Sioux Falls and the Sanford Pentagon for the third straight year,” said Bryan Miller, executive director of the Sioux Falls Sports Authority. “The 2018 championship was a great success, and we look forward to working with Dakota State University and Northwestern College as co-hosts to make the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship a memorable championship experience for all involved.”
Following the 2020 event, all NAIA basketball divisions will merge into a singular division, one each for men and women. The merger was approved by NAIA membership and university presidents at the 2018 NAIA National Convention.