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ISD Excited About Tournament Partnership with NAIA, City of Independence

Posted March 16, 2015

It is not just the 32 schools participating in the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship excited about the tournament, so too, are the 29 schools in the Independence School District (ISD). The ISD has been working with the NAIA, the City of Independence and the city’s tourism department to provide an entertaining and enjoyable experience for all fans and participants.

“Having the women’s tournament in Independence is great for the city and great for the ISD,” said Dr. Dale Herl, ISD superintendent.

During the six day event, the ISD will be providing practice facilities for all 32 teams. “We have 10 available gyms for the teams to use in preparation for their games,” said Truman High School Athletic Director Eric Holm. “We will have staggered time slots available for teams depending on their game time. Some may need to practice in the morning before a night game and vice versa.” As the tournament field becomes smaller, teams will practice inside the Independence Events Center, but Holm said ISD practice facilities will still be available, just in case.

There is also a plan to involve the ISD’s elementary schools. “We have a plan to create a bracket matching an ISD school with a tournament school,” said Chase Schneider, the district’s youth activities coordinator. “For example, if a particular classroom is studying geography, we may use the school’s location as a teaching tool or we may, if possible, have some of the players come in and read to the students.”

During the semifinals and finals, ISD music students from Van Horn, William Chrisman and Truman High School will sing the National Anthem and perform during the games.

The ISD is particularly interested in the NAIA’s Champions of Character program. Champions of Character incorporates the values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership and makes every member school responsible for exhibiting those on and off the court. “We are hoping some of the tournament schools can come to our schools and talk about those core values,” Herl said.

Regardless of who wins, the ISD feels like champions for helping bring the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship to Independence!