Myrtle Beach will host the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championship in May 2024 at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium. The city is one of 450 host site selections announced today by the NCAA. It will be the first NCAA National Championship held in the City of Myrtle Beach and is expected to bring 600 athletes to the Grand Strand.
“We are thrilled with the announcement of the NCAA today. This event will bring the top Division III track athletes from across the country to the beach to compete for both individual and team championships. We cannot wait to show them our hospitality and create the best possible environment for the competition,” said Karen Riordan, president & CEO of Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau (MBACVB).
Today’s NCAA announcement finalizes a unified competitive bid process to award their championships and preliminary rounds. The process began in August 2019 and the NCAA received more than 3,000 bid submissions by the early February 2020 deadline.
“Part of our commitment to support sports tourism includes assisting with the bid process as the local NCAA affiliated institution. We are pleased that our region has been selected for an NCAA championship competition and look forward to more opportunities to partner with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber and other local communities to showcase our destination,” said Matt Hogue, director of athletics for Coastal Carolina University.
This national championship will bring track and field athletes from across the country to Myrtle Beach to compete for both individual and team championships. Coastal Carolina University will serve as the official NCAA host institution. In addition, both the City of Myrtle Beach and the MBACVB and Sports Alliance will play integral roles in the Local Organizing Committee.
According to the NCAA announcement the sports committees selected host cities based on criteria that included the ability to create an outstanding experience for student-athletes, along with adherence to NCAA sport-specific bid specifications.
Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune said, “We’re excited to look ahead to 2024 when we can host this NCAA Division III Track and Field Championship with Coastal Carolina University. Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium is a great facility and will be well received. On behalf of the city, we look forward to welcoming these college athletes and their coaches to Myrtle Beach.”
This championship continues the growth of track and field in Myrtle Beach. The City of Myrtle Beach annually hosts several collegiate spring break meets in March including the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge and the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational.
“Our sports alliance works to showcase our high-quality sports venues and amenities that make our destination ideal for teams, athletes and their families,” said Jonathan Paris, executive director of sports tourism for Visit Myrtle Beach. “We are excited to see this growth in sports tourism continue and to welcome the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championship to Myrtle Beach.”