Will UW-Whitewater take advantage of "home field advantage"

Beginning Friday, Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute (Appleton) will be home to a 12th consecutive NCAA Division III World Series.

UW-Whitewater is making its fourth trip to Appleton – winning the 2005 national title and finishing 3rd in 2008 and 2004. The Warhawks have posted a 13 and 12 record in its three previous World Series trips to Fox Cities Stadium.

Originally UW-Oshkosh and Lawrence University were hosts to the Wisconsin-based D III World Series. Beginning last year, Lawrence University along with the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau are the hosts.

UW-Oshkosh was the most dominant Division III team in the nation during the 1980’s and 1990’s. The Titans earned the trip to the D III World Series 16 of 17 consecutive seasons.

The success prompted UW-Oshkosh and community leaders in the Fox Valley region to seek to have Fox Cities Stadium as the annual venue for the NCAA Division III World Series

Much like Salem, Virginia and the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl NCAA Division III Football Championship, Appleton has been a popular destination for Division III teams seeking to win the D III national baseball title.

Ironically, since 2000 when Fox Cities Stadium became the venue for the Division III World Series UW-Oshkosh has made it the 20 miles north on Highway 41 just once – in 2003 – and it was “two and out” for the hometown team.

As I previously indicated, UW-Whitewater has made it Fox Cities Stadium three times previous to this year. UW-Stevens Point has been able to make the trip east on Highway 10 three times – in 2010, 2007 and 2006.

Entering this year’s World Series WIAC teams have posted a 14 win – 12 loss record in games at Fox Cities Stadium.

Both Whitewater and Stevens Point fans have flocked to Appleton during there team’s run to a National Championship.

Look for Warhawk fans make the 145 mile trek up Highway 26 en masse beginning with Friday afternoon’s 4:30 p.m. game vs. Buena Vista University (Iowa).

For U-Dub-Dub fans heading to Appleton on Friday, plan to get to the stadium early.

The UW-Whitewater Alumni Association and the athletic department invite you to join them for a World Series tailgate party on Friday, May 27 at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, Wisconsin. The tailgate will begin at 2:30 and end at 4:30. Food and beverage will be provided and all alumni, family, friends and supporters of Warhawk baseball are welcome. The tailgate will take place in the parking lot on the first base side of the stadium.

GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

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