LEWISTON, Idaho – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ national baseball tournament will remain named the Avista NAIA World Series through 2025 as part of a new title sponsorship agreement between Avista Utilities and Lewis-Clark State College, LC State athletic director Brooke Henze has announced.
In addition, Avista will sponsor the Opening Round tournament to be held at LC State’s Harris Field, starting next spring and running through 2025. It will now be known as the NAIA Opening Round presented by Avista.
"In 2000, when the Avista NAIA World Series returned to Lewis-Clark State College and the Lewis-Clark Valley, Avista enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to become the title sponsor," said Mike Tatko, Avista's regional business manager for the Lewis-Clark region. "This is arguably the most successful NAIA championship event. The addition of the Opening Round presented by Avista only strengthens our partnership with L-C State and the NAIA. We're excited to be a part of the additional action on Harris Field at Ed Cheff Stadium."
“We could not be more appreciative of Avista’s support and partnership,” LC State president Cynthia Pemberton said. “Avista’s title sponsorship of this signature event is just one more way Avista is demonstrating its longstanding commitment to our college and valley. We truly cannot say thank you loud enough or often enough for their continued support.”
LC State has been the host site for the Avista NAIA World Series since 2000 and will continue to be the host through at least 2025. The 10-team double-elimination tournament is held annually over Memorial Day weekend, starting on the Friday before the holiday and continuing play for a week.
LC State is thrilled that Avista Utilities has agreed to extend their title sponsorships for the Avista NAIA World Series and so grateful that they are the presenting sponsor for the opening round held in Lewiston,” LC State athletic director Brooke Henze said. “Their commitment to this tournament is a testament to their investment to our college and our community. Avista is such a great partner and a key reason why the Avista NAIA World Series is the premier event in the area.”
“Avista has been a tremendous advocate of the NAIA Baseball World Series for two decades, and we are thrilled to see this relationship continue,” said Austin Bennett, NAIA Director of Championships. “Its addition of sponsorship of the NAIA Baseball Opening Round is a testament to their commitment to not only Lewis-Clark State, but the entire region.”
In 2018, the NAIA named LC State as the inaugural recipient of its Best NAIA Championship award for its work on the Series. Overall, LC State has played host to the NAIA national baseball tournament 29 times, by far the most of any site in the tournament’s 64-year history.
Previously, LC State has received an automatic berth into the Avista NAIA World Series as the tournament host with the other nine teams earning berths by winning the nine NAIA Opening Round five-team tournaments. Starting next spring, LC State will lose the automatic host berth and the NAIA will hold 10 Opening Round tournaments. As part of the agreement between LC State and the NAIA, one of those 10 tournaments will be held at LC State’s Harris Field, also through 2025, and it will be called NAIA Opening Round presented by Avista. Next year’s tournament will be held May 16-19. The Avista NAIA World Series will follow on May 27-June 3.
Tickets for both the Avista Opening Round presented by Avista and the Avista NAIA World Series will go on sale at a later date and all previous Series ticket holders will be notified by mail for the opportunity to again reserve their seats.
Stay up to date with all things involving Warrior athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.