NCAA adds TSU as Host Institution for 2016 Men’s Final Four

HOUSTON, Texas -- The NCAA Men's Basketball Committee has approved the addition of Texas Southern University as a host institution for the 2016 Men's Final Four, according to an announcement today from the Houston Local Organizing Committee (HLOC).

Along with the University of Houston and Rice University, Texas Southern will be a key component in planning, organizing and executing the city-wide event to be held April 1-4, 2016.

This marks the first time in the history of the Final Four that three institutions have collaborated to host the NCAA's largest championship.

"Texas Southern continues to be an important institution in our city and our region and we felt like it only made sense to add them as a host along with University of Houston and Rice," said Houston Local Organizing Committee Chair, Tony Chase. "In a city this size and this diverse in its population and students, it will take all the qualified resources we have to execute at the level we are planning. Texas Southern President Dr. John Rudley and Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Charles McClelland have shown a great interest in this event and we know they will be bring great resources and energy to help deliver the best Final Four ever."

"We are thrilled to have Texas Southern join University of Houston and Rice as tri-hosts for the next Final Four," said NCAA vice president of men's basketball, Dan Gavitt. "Texas Southern is a terrific school with nearly 90 years of history of providing a quality education to its students. Dr. Rudley and his leadership team will be a tremendous asset to the NCAA and the city of Houston as we work together to stage one of America's greatest sporting events."

"With our basketball programs having participated in the last two NCAA men's basketball championships, we feel like we understand this tournament and can help deliver a great experience for the student-athletes who will travel here," said Texas Southern President John Rudley." "We are thrilled to have been asked by the NCAA Men's Basketball Committee and the HLOC to participate as a host institution."

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION