CSUN Expects Large Crowds for NCAA Soccer Final Four

Cal State Northridge is going to be the site of a flurry of athletic activity Dec. 3-4 when the school plays host to both the NCAA Division II Final Four in soccer and the women’s volleyball West regional.

With the popularity of youth soccer in the Valley area and the minor wave of Marwan-mania that has developed during Coach Marwan Ass’ad’s 5 seasons with the Matadors, Northridge Athletic Director Bob Hiegert said he expects big crowds for the tournament.

“We’ve had an awful lot of phone calls--more than we’ve ever had about an NCAA event here,” Hiegert said.

The only real conflict that would keep soccer enthusiasts away are local finals of the American Youth Soccer Organization. But that event probably will provide a natural spillover to the Final Four.

Crowds averaged about 1,000 for Matador home matches this season. The semifinal doubleheader Saturday is expected to draw a crowd of more than 5,000 to North Campus Stadium. If Northridge makes Sunday’s final, it could be filled to the 6,000 capacity.

The NCAA controls all the revenue from ticket and program sales. Northridge keeps any profits from concessions and parking.

Hiegert said the school will attempt to play host to an event that spectators--and the NCAA--will remember.

“We want to do a good job hosting a championship event at the Division II level,” he said. “so we get the same opportunity at Division I.”