ATHENS, Ohio -- Because of Ohio University's past successes hosting tournaments, it has been chosen to host the National Intramural Basketball Tournament on April 17 to 19.

The preliminary games will be played in the Ping Student Recreation Center and the championship games will be played in the Convocation Center. Admission to all games is free.

"As it has been in the past, the tournament will be very competitive. The majority of team members who make it to this level of play were outstanding and recognized high school athletes," Chris Morris, associate director of Campus Recreation at Ohio University, said. "Last year's winning team was made up of many varsity football players from the University of Louisville."

The title games will be held on Saturday, April 19, in the Convocation Center. The women's national championship game is at 2 p.m. and the men's national championship game is at 3:30 p.m. The tournament is expected to showcase approximately 50 teams from all across the country.

Ohio University students will plan, organize and run the tournament, with more than 20student-planning committees already at work.

The National Intramural Basketball Tournament is sponsored by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. Teams qualify for the national tournament through regional and state qualifying tournaments, or they can register for a limited number of open slots.

For more information about the tournament, visit www.ohio.edu/recreation .