Cal To Host NCAA Championship Events
Robert Edwards, Dave Bernal and Catharyn Hayne

Cal To Host NCAA Championship Events

Spieker Aquatics Complex To Host NCAA Water Polo Championships; Women's Gymnastics Awarded 2024 Regionals

Spieker Aquatics Complex will become the center of collegiate water polo in a few years.

The NCAA announced future championship sites for a number of sports Wednesday, and Cal will host the NCAA men's water polo championships in 2022 and the NCAA women's water polo championships in 2024.

The NCAA also selected Cal as a host for the 2024 NCAA women's gymnastics regionals.

This will mark the fourth time Cal's men's water polo program has hosted NCAAs, the most recent coming in 2016 when the Golden Bears captured the national title. Cal has won 14 NCAA championships overall.

"To host the 2022 NCAA Championships at Spieker Aquatics Complex is a unique and special opportunity," Cal head coach Kirk Everist said. "Having hosted three times in the past, it's an honor to bring the event back to Berkeley."

Cal's women's water polo program will be hosting the NCAA Championships for the first time. The Bears have been a regular participant in the postseason, having competed in five of the past six NCAA Championships.

"Hosting this grand event will be a great opportunity for Cal to celebrate its rich women's water polo history," Cal head coach Coralie Simmons said. "We look forward to putting on an event that the student-athletes will remember for the rest of their lives."

Along with the NCAA Championships, Spieker Aquatics Complex has hosted numerous major water polo events, including the MPSF Championships and the U.S. Senior Championships.

Spieker Aquatics Complex was built in 1982 and has undergone several upgrades over the years, including a renovation in 2017-18 to modernize the venue. It is named after Warren E. "Ned" Spieker, who provided the major portion of the funds for the project.

Cal's women's gymnastics program has hosted an NCAA Regional twice in the past – in 1992 and 2015. The Bears also served as hosts for the 2014 Pac-12 Championships.

"We are thrilled to bring the NCAA Regional Championships back to Berkeley and Haas Pavilion," Cal co-head coach Justin Howell said. "We are excited to showcase our beautiful campus and all that the Bay Area has to offer gymnastics fans."

Haas Pavilion opened in 1999 on the same site as Harmon Gym, which was built in 1933. In addition to women's gymnastics, it has played host to numerous volleyball and basketball postseason events, as well.
 
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