Niagara · Region III
Niagara Regional
Tomorrow
Medical tent with muscle stim, ultrasound, hot packs and ice (Saturday treatment by appointment)
Sat Nov 14 · 8:00 am ET · Medical tent on the course
Deadlines5 of 7 done
- Mon Oct 198:00 amDone: Entries open on DirectAthletics
- Sun Nov 811:59 pmDone: Entries close on DirectAthletics
- Tue Nov 105:00 pmDone: Late entries close$400 per gender
- Wed Nov 1111:00 amDone: Mandatory virtual coaches' meeting$200 per gender if missed without 48 hours' notice to the NCAA liaison
- Wed Nov 1112:00 pmDone: Preliminary entry lists go up on the host's website by noon Eastern: check your team's entries
- Sun Nov 159:00 pmLast chance to change the 10-athlete roster for nationals (no action needed if unchanged)
- —Championship evaluation survey (link emailed after the meet)
Manual p. 2, 6, 7, 15, 23
Confirm at the coaches' meeting12 places the manual disagrees
Nationals roster change deadline (Sun, Nov 15)
- Printed
- 9 p.m. Eastern, when the system shuts off (Section 5, p. 6)
- Also printed
- 11:59 p.m. (Appendix G, Coaches' Checklist, p. 23)
This packet uses This packet uses the earlier time, 9 p.m. ET.
When men's clerking opens
- Printed
- 9:40 a.m., when clerking begins for both races; men may clerk until 11:40 a.m. (Appendix B, Schedule of Events, p. 15)
- Also printed
- Up to 80 minutes before the race (Section 5, p. 7), which for the men's noon start would be 10:40 a.m.
This packet uses This packet shows 9:40 a.m. from the schedule. Confirm at the coaches' meeting.
Race-day packet pickup
- Printed
- Packets stay in Steele Hall Fieldhouse until 10 a.m. Saturday for teams not at Friday practice; no start time given (Section 5, p. 7)
- Also printed
- Final packet pickup 9 to 10 a.m. (Appendix B, Schedule of Events, p. 15)
This packet uses This packet shows 9 to 10 a.m. from the schedule.
Course distance markers
- Printed
- Distances are marked in the picture and on the course for every mile (Appendixes C and D text, pp. 16-17)
- Also printed
- The map labels are in kilometers: 1, 3, 5, 7K and 2, 4, 6K (Appendixes C and D maps, pp. 16-17)
This packet uses This packet doesn't say which; check the markers at Friday practice or packet pickup.
Race-day treatment
- Printed
- Athletes needing treatment on race day go to the medical tent on site (Section 5, Medical, p. 8)
- Also printed
- Athletes needing treatment on Saturday must book an appointment with Brenda Dean by email (Section 5, Medical, p. 9)
This packet uses This packet says both: treatment is at the medical tent, and book it ahead by email.
Where coaches get results
- Printed
- Inside Steele Hall Fieldhouse near the finish line (Section 5, Results, p. 8)
- Also printed
- A coaches-only results area by the officials' tent near the start/finish line (Section 5, Protests, p. 8)
This packet uses This packet says Steele Hall Fieldhouse. Ask at the coaches' meeting.
Uniform and logo bylaw number
- Printed
- Bylaw 12.5.4 (Section 5, Final Declaration, p. 7)
- Also printed
- Bylaw 12.5.3 (Section 5, Logo Policy, p. 10)
This packet uses This packet cites 12.5.3 from the Logo Policy; the logo rule itself is the same in both places.
Facilities coordinator Hannah Esslie's cell number
- Printed
- One number in the host personnel table (Section 2, p. 4)
- Also printed
- A different number (two digits swapped) in the emergency leaders list (Appendix E, p. 18)
This packet uses This packet shows no personal numbers. Confirm the right one with the meet director.
NCAA site representative Jackie Nicholson's title
- Printed
- Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, RIT (Section 2, p. 4)
- Also printed
- Director of Athletics, RIT (Section 3, committee table, pp. 4-5)
This packet uses This packet uses the Section 2 title.
Logo size limit (checked against the NCAA manual)
- Printed
- 2 1/4 square inches (this manual, p. 10, 11)
- Also printed
- 4 square inches (NCAA 2026-27 Pre-Championships Manual, logo policy revised 7/21/26, effective 8/1/26)
This packet uses The NCAA manual carries the newer revision. Ask the site representative at the coaches' meeting which limit officials will enforce.
Late-entry deadline (checked against the NCAA hosts list)
- Printed
- Tue, Nov 10, 5 p.m. Eastern (this manual, p. 6)
- Also printed
- "Tuesday, Nov. 11", 5 p.m. Eastern (NCAA 2026 regional and finals hosts list, p. 2); Nov 11, 2026 is a Wednesday
This packet uses Treat Tue, Nov 10 at 5 p.m. Eastern as the last moment for late entries ($400 per team and gender). Ask the NCAA liaison before counting on Wednesday.
Meet director (checked against the NCAA hosts list)
- Printed
- Nick Abdo, SUNY Fredonia (this manual)
- Also printed
- Thomas Wilson, SUNY Fredonia (NCAA 2026 regional and finals hosts list, p. 1)
This packet uses Write to the manual's contact for meet logistics and copy the NCAA's listed director if a reply doesn't come.
Race day
Earlier this week5
- Wed Nov 11
- 11:00amDone: Mandatory virtual coaches' meetingOnline (virtual)
- Fri Nov 13
- 1:00pmDone: Course inspection and practiceCross country course, SUNY Fredonia · until 4:00 pm
- 1:00pmDone: Packet pickupSteele Hall Fieldhouse · until 4:00 pm
- 1:00pmDone: Medical tent open (ice and water)Medical tent on the course · until 5:00 pm
- 1:00pmDone: Athletic training treatmentsSteele Hall athletic training room · until 5:00 pm
- Sat Nov 14
- 8:00amMedical tent with muscle stim, ultrasound, hot packs and ice (Saturday treatment by appointment)Medical tent on the course · until 10:00 am
- 9:00amFinal packet pickupSteele Hall Fieldhouse · until 10:00 am
- 9:00amCourse opensCross country course, SUNY Fredonia
- 9:40amClerking (check-in) opens for both racesAssigned clerking location
- 10:30amFirst gun: 30 minutes to the women's start
- 10:35amNational anthem
- 10:40amSecond gun: women report to assigned boxes; women's clerking closes
- 10:50amThird gun: 10 minutes to the women's start
- 11:00amWomen's 6,000 m championship race
- 11:30amFirst gun: 30 minutes to the men's start
- 11:40amSecond gun: men report to assigned boxes; men's clerking closes
- 11:50amThird gun: 10 minutes to the men's start
- 12:00pmMen's 8,000 m championship race
- 1:45pmAwards ceremonyInside Steele Hall Fieldhouse
Women's 6K starts 11:00 am · report 10:40 am · clerking 9:40 am – 10:40 am · guns 10:30 am, 10:40 am, 10:50 am ET
Men's 8K starts 12:00 pm · report 11:40 am · clerking 9:40 am – 11:40 am · guns 11:30 am, 11:40 am, 11:50 am ET
Times are ET, meet-local.
Add the schedule to your calendar (downloads a file)The course
Manual p. 16
Manual p. 17
Manual p. 22
Getting there
Steele Hall Fieldhouse and Cross Country Course
280 Central Ave., #1127, Fredonia, NY 14063
From New York State Thruway (I-90)5
- Exit 59 (Dunkirk & Fredonia)
- After the toll booth, continue straight through the traffic lights to the T intersection with Central Ave
- Left on Central Ave
- At the next traffic signal, right into the main campus entrance at 280 Central Ave
- Teams park in Lot #27, behind the start/finish line; spectators in Lots #9c, #9d or #11
From I-86 (Rt. 17) / Rt. 60 North7
- Take I-86 to the Route 60 North exit at Jamestown
- Stay on Rt. 60 North about 25 miles to the Rts. 60 and 20 intersection in Fredonia
- Left on Rt. 20 to Temple/Water St
- Right on Temple St
- Right at the 2nd traffic light onto Central Ave
- After the signal, the main campus entrance at 280 Central Ave is on the left
- Teams park in Lot #27, behind the start/finish line; spectators in Lots #9c, #9d or #11
Medical and emergency
Emergency vehicles enter: The manual gives no EMS entry route. In a medical emergency call 911, then Campus Safety (University Police) at 716.673.3333 or ext. 3333 from a campus phone, and be explicit about your location. AEDs: Steele Hall Arena/Fieldhouse (hallway wall outside the south doors), Steele Hall Pool (south wall, near the women's locker rooms) and the athletic training room.
From the manual
Before you travel4
Entries6 p. 6
Only the 10 athletes on the entry form may compete at the regional.
Enter online on DirectAthletics: opens Mon, Oct 19 at 8 a.m. ET; closes Sun, Nov 8 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Late entries until Tue, Nov 10 at 5 p.m. ET, with a $400 fine per gender.
Roster exceptions only in extraordinary circumstances, in writing to the committee and NCAA championship manager Laura Peterson-Mlynski (lpeterson@ncaa.org).
Print your entry forms and bring them to the regional in case of any issue.
A qualifying finish at the regional is your entry to nationals. You may change the 10 on DirectAthletics until Sun, Nov 15 at 9 p.m. ET, when the system shuts off; with no changes, no action is needed.
Admin meeting2 p. 6p. 7
Mandatory virtual administrative meeting: Wed, Nov 11 at 11 a.m. local time (ET), run by the NCAA site representative and meet director.
Every institution must be represented. Missing it costs $200 per gender unless you arrange it with the NCAA liaison (Laura Peterson-Mlynski, lpeterson@ncaa.org) at least 48 hours ahead.
Squad2 p. 7p. 12
Up to seven runners per team. Running more than seven is a disqualification and counts as misconduct.
Five to seven runners must compete as a team. Fewer than five compete as individuals.
Arrival parking4 p. 5p. 6p. 22
Enter campus at the main entrance, 280 Central Ave.
Teams and officials park in Lot #27, directly behind the start/finish line.
Spectators park in Lots #9c, #9d or #11. Parking and admission are free.
See the campus parking map (Appendix F).
At the course5
Packet pickup4 p. 7p. 14p. 15
Fri, Nov 13, 1 to 4 p.m., in Steele Hall Fieldhouse.
Not at Friday practice? Your packet waits in Steele Hall Fieldhouse until 10 a.m. Sat, Nov 14 (final pickup 9 to 10 a.m.).
Course maps and descriptions are there, and host staff can answer course questions.
The packet holds the bibs, safety pins and timing chips, and the weather-line number.
Practice4 p. 7p. 15p. 16p. 17
Course practice only on Friday and race day, weather permitting.
Fri, Nov 13: 1 to 4 p.m.
Race day: the course opens at 9 a.m.
The course continuously loops around. Distances are marked on the maps and on the course; the finish for each race is the red dot on its map (see the flagged marker conflict).
Facilities3 p. 6p. 8
Locker rooms in Steele Hall and Dods Hall are open after the practice rounds and the races. No individual lockers; don't leave belongings unattended.
Athletes bring their own towels.
After the finish, athletes walk through the chute to their team's box to collect warm-ups. Coaches wait outside the chute.
Check-in6 p. 7p. 15
The head coach may check in the team, at the assigned clerking location only. No check-in at the start line.
Check in up to 80 minutes before your race and no later than 20 minutes before it.
Clerking opens at 9:40 a.m. Women's closes at 10:40 a.m.; men's at 11:40 a.m. (see the flagged men's clerking conflict).
If you took more than seven sets of hip numbers, bibs and chips at packet pickup, return the extras at clerking at least 20 minutes before the race.
Coaches confirm every athlete wears the correct hip numbers, bibs and chips and meets uniform and logo rules (Rule 22-3). Violations can mean disqualification.
Late check-in can cost a start, a letter to your athletics director and a fine.
Chips and bibs4 p. 14
Each packet has two bibs per athlete (pin front and back of the singlet), 16 safety pins and the timing chips.
Thread the shoelaces through the two holes in the chip, centered on the front of the shoe, then retie. Don't flatten the chip or it won't read.
Chips and bibs are required for a time and place; FinishLynx records results and Lynx cameras check close finishes, so bibs must show.
Athletes keep their chips after the race.
Race and results3
Finish4 p. 8
Two cameras on each finish mat, with a backup video system.
Run through both sets of finish mats. Order in the chute doesn't need to be kept.
Timing mats may be used at select points; splits and team scores may appear in the final results.
Water and athletic trainers are at the end of the chute.
Results and protests3 p. 8
Coaches pick up printed results inside Steele Hall Fieldhouse near the finish line; official results also posted on the host website in a printable format.
Protest/appeals table in the officials' tent near the start/finish line, by the coaches-only results area. The head coach fills in a form there, citing the NCAA rulebook.
Protest fee $100. The 15-minute protest period starts when the last race's results are posted. The head referee's ruling is posted with the results.
Awards2 p. 12p. 15
Awards ceremony at 1:45 p.m. inside Steele Hall Fieldhouse.
The top team per gender is recognized as the automatic qualifier to the national championships.
Safety and rules6
Medical6 p. 8p. 9
Medical tent on the course: Fri, Nov 13, 1 to 5 p.m., with ice and water; Sat, Nov 14, 8 to 10 a.m., with muscle stim, ultrasound, combination stim/US, hot packs and ice.
Athletic trainers: Friday in the Steele Hall athletic training room (treatments 1 to 5 p.m.); Saturday only in the medical tent on the course.
Race-day treatment is at the medical tent and needs an appointment: email head athletic trainer Brenda Dean (Brenda.Dean@fredonia.edu).
Physicians, EMTs and an ambulance on site Saturday.
Bring a fully stocked team medical kit plus insurance and emergency contact information.
Modalities need a signed letter from your certified athletic trainer or team physician with the treatment parameters.
Weather4 p. 8p. 9
The meet director and NCAA site representative watch the weather all week and race morning (for example cold or heavy snow).
Race-day severe-weather updates: call Tom Wilson's weather line (coach-only contacts; also in the coaches' packets and on the meet website) or check the host website. The host leaves messages on that line about new start times or delayed course inspection.
The games committee decides on a delayed start or a move to the next day, considering schools' Sunday competition policies.
If a race is stopped: women before 2,000 m and men before 3,000 m may rerun the same day after a two-hour delay; later than that, the recommendation is the next day.
Lightning3 p. 12p. 13p. 18
Lightning detection by Schneider Electric, with a SkyScan detector and Internet Doppler radar as backup; flash-to-bang as a visual check.
The PA announcer tells all teams, fans and spectators to take shelter immediately.
Shelter is the Steele Hall Fieldhouse. For a tornado or severe weather, go there too, keep the doors closed and stay away from windows.
Uniforms4 p. 10p. 11
Wear your institution's uniform, warm-ups included, in races and award ceremonies.
School-issued; singlets identical; pants any length but one color; visible undergarments one identical solid color; other visible team items identical in color (above the shoulders, hands and feet excepted).
No bare-midriff tops: the top must meet or hang below the waistband. Numbers must fit above the waist, front and back.
One manufacturer logo per item, no larger than 2 1/4 square inches, inside a four-sided shape (Bylaw 12.5.3 in the Logo Policy). The rule also covers credentialed staff. Enforced; violations go to NCAA enforcement.
Drug testing2 p. 10
Assume post-race NCAA drug testing will happen.
An athlete selected for testing must tell an institutional representative (coach or athletic trainer) before going to the testing site.
Conduct3 p. 11
Gameday the DIII Way: safety, responsiveness, dignity and experience for everyone at the event.
Staff may not publicly criticize officiating (Bylaw 31.1.8).
Misconduct during a race is normally heard after the competition; flagrant cases can mean immediate withdrawal.