MIT and USATF - New England are pleased and honored to host the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships on November 22, 1997 at Franklin Park

• Information: This information as well as all maps, time schedules, lodging, restaurants, churches, history of course and meet, key results, possibly a virtual course tour, etc. will be on the WWW at: http://web.mit.edu/ncaaxcchamp/www/index.html. Please stay tuned to the NCAA Homepage as well at http://www.ncaa.org and for Cross Country in particular at http://www.ncaa.org/champs/m_xcountry/
• Race Times: The Women's Race will start at 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time. The Men's Race will start at 12 Noon Eastern Standard Time.
• Course: The Championships will be held at Franklin Park, 12 miles from the Meet Headquarters. Maps are included with this mailing. The course has been the host of the USA Championships as well as the World Championships. It is a series of loops, designed for the participant as well as the spectator. There will be splits at each mile.
• Meet Headquarters: The Dedham Hilton, 25 Allied Drive, Dedham, MA. 02026, Phone: (617) 329-7900, Fax: (617) 461-1027
• Meet Director: Halston Taylor - MIT, PO Box D, Cambridge, MA. 02139, Phone: (617) 253-4918, Fax: (617) 258-7343, Email: hwtaylor@mit.edu
• Eligibility Forms: The NCAA form will be mailed to all participating institutions in late September included with your 1997 Handbook. This form should be completed by the Head Coach, signed by the Athletics Director, and copies returned to both the regional and championship sites by October 27, 1997.
• Declarations: Regional Declaration will be made by fax on the enclosed form by 5:00 PM local host time on Sunday, November 9. National Declarations will be made by fax (617) 258-7343 on the enclosed copy (please copy the original) by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on November 16. Individual qualifiers must be listed. Teams qualifying for national competition may list up to 10 runners who are eligible to run at the championships. If there are problems getting through on the fax, please call (617) 253-7946 for assistance. On the bottom of the entry is information pertaining to the Coaches and Athletes Banquet. There will be tickets provided for the qualifying athletes (7 if a team) and the coach. Additional tickets will be for sale if so indicated by the coach at $15.00 per person (eligible athletes and additional coaches only)

Late entries may be accepted subject to a $50 charge per individual up to a manimum penalty of $300 per team.

• Final Declarations: This year the NCAA Committee will do final declarations at the starting line of the race.
• Coaches Packets: Team and individual packets are to be picked up at the Dedham Hilton on Friday, November 21, between the hours of 2:00-4:00 PM. Credentials, meal tickets for both the Banquet and Awards Luncheon, results ticket, vehicle parking permit, numbers and pins, as well as other important information will be enclosed.
• Competitors Numbers: Each athlete will receive four (4) numbers. The numbers must be pinned securely to both the upper front and back of the racing top. Hip numbers will also be pinned on both sides of the shorts.
• Scoring: Scoring will be conducted in accordance to the 1997 NCAA Rules.
• Drug Testing: NCAA drug testing procedures may be implemented. Any questions regarding the NCAA drug testing program should be referred to the NCAA Drug Testing Program booklet.
• Mandatory Coaches Meeting: This mandatory coaches' meeting will be held at the Meet Headquarters from 5:00-6:00PM on Friday, November 21.
• Coaches and Athletes Banquet: The coaches and athletes will attend the same banquet. This will be held at Moseley's in Dedham, approximately 3 miles from the Meet Headquarters. A pasta meal will be served. Amby Burfoot, former Wesleyan College runner, Boston Marathon winner, and current Editor of Runner's World Magazine will be the featured speaker. Additional ticket needs must be indicated on the declaration sheet (see above).
• Coaches Social: The Coaches Social will be held at the Meet Headquarters on Friday, November 21 from 9:00-11:00PM.
• Parking: Parking at the course will be provided for those who have passes, which will be distributed 1 per team in your team packet on Friday. Any team needing more passes must pick them up at that time. Parking for guests and spectators will be at the peripheral lots and along Circuit Drive. Parking at MIT will be on Vassar Street and will be directed by our Campus Police. Please refer to the Web page maps for more information.
• Showers: Showers can be taken at your hotel or at MIT. If you will be using MIT's shower facilities please bring your own towel and soap as well as a lock if you wish to secure your valuables.
• Post Race Luncheon: Their will be a post race luncheon available to coaches, and athletes who present the provided meal ticket at Kresge Auditorium at MIT. This meal will begin at 2:00 PM and conclude at 3:00 PM. Food cannot be taken into the Auditorium itself, but must be consumed in the concourse area.
• Awards Ceremony: The awards ceremony will be held inside Kresge Auditorium at MIT at 3:00 PM or when official results become available. There is seating for over 1000 so do not be concerned about space. The top 35 individuals in each race will be considered All-America place winners (16-35 will be Coaches Association All America winners) with the top 15 receiving NCAA Awards. The top four teams in each race will receive trophies.
• Results: Unofficial meet results will be posted at the end of each race and on the Web page mentioned above. Official meet results will be posted at the Awards Venue and will be available for pickup at Kresge Auditorium in the lobby with the presentation of a results ticket.
• Motels, Restaurants, Churches: Enclosed in this packet is information pertaining to local lodging, restaurants, and churches. You are encouraged to use the WWW and yellow pages to find additional information.
• Championship Merchandise: All championship merchandise will appear with a specific 1997 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships logo imprinted on it. Merchandise will be sold at the Meet Headquarters on Friday, November 21 from 12:00 Noon until 6:00 PM and at the course on Saturday, November 22 from 10:00 AM until 1:30 PM.
• Airports: Boston's Logan Airport is the most convenient to the area's venues. However, the airports in Providence, RI and Worcester, MA. are both within an hour of the race site and meet headquarters.
• Automobile Rentals: Reservations can be made through Worldtek (800) 243-1800. Logan Airport houses all major car rental agencies.
  
  
• Meet Officials:

Meet Director: Halston Taylor (617) 253-4918, hwtaylor@mit.edu

Associate Meet Director: Steve Vaitones (617) 566-7600, usatfne@ix.netcom.com

Sports Information Direc: Roger Crosley (617) 253-7946, crosley@mit.edu

Athletic Trainer: Kim Goulding (617) 253-4908, kimgould@mit.edu

Championship Fax: (617) 258-7343

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP TIME SCHEDULE

LODGING

Days Inn, 1234 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, 800-325-2525

Holiday Inn -Boston, 1200 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-277-1200

Howard Johnsons, 575 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 800-654-2000

Howard Johnsons,1271 Boylston St., Boston, 617-864-0300

Susse Chalet, 800-900 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, 617-287-9287

Best Western, 220 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, 800-528-1234

Howard Johnsons, 777 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, 617-864-0300

Susse Chalet, 211 Concord Turnpike, Cambridge, 617-661-7800

Days Inn, 19 Commerce Way, Woburn, 617-935-7110

Holiday Inn, 30 Washington St., Somerville, 617-628-1000

Comfort Inn, 235 Elm St., Dedham, 800-244-8181

Hilton at Dedham, 25 Allied Drive, Dedham (National Headquarters), 800-248-6028

Holiday Inn, 55 Ariadne Rd., Dedham, 617-329-1000

Holiday Inn, 1374 N. Main St., Randolph, 617-961-1000

Holiday Inn Newton, 617-969-5300

Sheraton -Needham, 100 Cabot St., Needham, 800-274-3728

Susse Chalet, 160 Boylston St., Newton, 617-527-9000

Towne House Inn, 100 N. Beacon St., Watertown, 617-926-2200

RESTAURANTS

(Due to the wide assortment of areas for lodging and the enormous array of restaurants, I suggest you look up the following URL on the WWW to locate some restaurants nearest your choice of lodging. Of course, the yellow pages always work pretty well too.) http://www.hubnet.com/suburban/main.html

Below are Cambridge and Dedham area listings

Central Square/ MIT

Anago Bistro --Mediterranean --$$$

Asmara--Ethiopian --$+

Bertucci's --Italian --$+

Brookline Diner --Middle Eastern --$

Crystal Restaurant --Chinese --$+

Fishery --Seafood --$$

Green St. Grill --Eclectic Caribbean -$$

India Pavillion --Indian --$+

Indian Globe --Indian --$+

Korea Garden --Korean --$$-

La Groceria --Northern Italian --$$

Larry's --Chinese --$+

Middle East --Middle Eastern --$+

Miracle of Science --Middle Eastern --$+

Oh Calcutta --Indian --$+

Picante --Texan/Mexican --$

Pu-Pu Hot Pot --Chinese --$+

Rhythm & Spice --Caribbean --$$-

Shalimar --Indian --$$-

Taj India --Indian --$+

Kendall Square/ East Cambridge

Biggs Restaurant --Jamaican --$+

Blue Room --Eclectic --$$$-

Cambridge Brewing Company --Brewery

Chandra's --Caribbean/ Indian --$+

Charless Bar & Grill --American

Davio's --Nouvelle Italian --$$$-

Florentina --Italian --$$

Izzy's Sub Shop --Puerto Rican --$

Legal Seafood --Seafood --$$+

PapaRazzi --Italian --$$

Poppa & Goose --Asian Eclectic --$+

Rayz --American Casual --$$-

Sammy's Deli --Deli --$

Sindibad --Middle Eastern --$+

Thai's --Thai --$$

Cafe Bella (Northern Italian Bistro)

19 Warren Street

Randolph, Ma.

(617) 961-7729

Rt. 128 S to Rt. 24 S 1st exit, Rt. 139 E. Approx. 2-3 miles on left in a strip mall

Carla's (Italian, both fine and casual dining)

17 Nahantan Street

Norwood, Ma.

(617) 769-9000

Rt. 128 S to I 95 S 1st exit, Neponset Ave. Right off ramp. 2 miles to rotary - 1/2 the way around to Nahantan St. Approx. 1/2 mile up on the right.

Finian's (American/Casual)

910 Washington Street

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 329-0097

Rt. 128 N to Rt. 1 N, Exit 15A. 1st left at lights and left again at end of road. Restaurant is 1/4 mile up on left.

Ground Round

Rte. 1 South

Norwood, Ma.

(617) 769-8087

Rt. 128 N to Rt. 1 S, Exit 15B. Approx. 3 miles on right.

TGI Friday's

Rte. 1 North

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 251-0650

Rt. 128 N to Rt. 1 N, Exit 15A. Approx. 1 mile down on right hand side of road

CHURCHES

First Baptist Church

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 326-3033

Islington Community Church

Westwood, Ma.

(617) 326-5347

Church of the Good Shepherd

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 326-3052

St. Paul's Episcopal

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 326-4553

First Church Universalist

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 326-7462

St. John's United Methodist

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 326-2025

St. Susanna's Church

Dedham, Ma.

(617)329-9575

Temple Beth David

Westwood, Ma.

(617) 769-5270

Calvary Baptist Church

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 329-9264

Allin Congregational Church

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 326-5050

Westwood Evangelical Westwood, Ma.

(617) 326-0570

St. Luke's Lutheran Church

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 762-9457

Orthodox Christian Church

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 326-3046

Church of the Nazarene

Walpole, Ma.

(508) 668-6474

St. Mary's Church

Dedham, Ma.

(617) 326-0550

Temple Aliyah

Needham, Ma.

(617) 444-8522

Directions: Logan Airport to Dedham Hilton

- Take "Airport Exit", follow signs to I-93 South (via Sumner Tunnel)

- Once through tunnel, you must go right and under I-93 to get to the southbound lane.

There is major construction going on, so be ready for erratic temporary lanes.

- Stay on I-93 South, bearing right at the split in Braintree

- I-93 South becomes I-95 North in Canton; just stay straight ahead

- Take Exit 14, "East St., Canton St."

- Take 2nd right onto Allied Drive. Dedham Hilton is right in front of you.

Distance = 22.1 miles (30-40 minutes, depending on traffic)

Directions: Dedham Hilton to Moseley's

- Take I-95 North to first exit, Exit 15A "To 1A, Dedham"

- Follow that commercial divided highway for 3.9 miles, through 7 traffic lights

- At the 8th light, Route 109, go left. There is a left turn lane. Fontaine's is on your right.

- Moseley's is 1/2-mile up on your left.

Distance = 4.4 miles (9-10 minutes)

Directions: Dedham Hilton to Franklin Park

- Take I-95 North to first exit, Exit 15A "To 1A, Dedham"

- Follow that divided road for 7.1 miles. It becomes a tree-lined parkway at 3.9 miles. There are a number of traffic circles (we call them "rotaries"). Follow the straight line of the parkway through each rotary.

- At 7.1 miles, just after a church on your left, turn left at the T-intersection traffic light -- a large green sign points left to Boston and Brookline.

- 1 mile later, at the next rotary, veer right onto Route 203 East, towards Dorchester (The Arborway)

- Follow 203 for a mile, over a large bridge, to yet another rotary

- Go 2/3 around the rotary, and you will see a large brown wooden sign for Franklin Park. Go right.

- The road bends left; the Park Entrance is 0.8-mile up on your left. Rangers will direct you to parking.

Distance = 10.0 miles (20-25 minutes)

Directions: Franklin Park to MIT West Parking Garage

- Left out of park to Circuit Drive

- At traffic light, go left onto Blue Hill Avenue

- Left onto Seaver Street, which becomes Columbus Avenue (stay straight)

- Left onto Massachusetts Avenue, eventually over the Charles River

- After the river, go left at the third traffic light, onto Vassar Street.

- The Parking Garage is 0.4 miles down on your right, just after the big red brick storage building

Distance = 5.4 miles (20 minutes)

Directions: Dedham Hilton to MIT West Parking Garage

- Take I-95 North about 11 miles to Exits 23-24-25. Follow signs for I-90 East (Mass. Pike) to Boston

There will be two $.50 tolls.

- Follow I-90E for about 8 miles to Exit 18 "Cambridge, Allston"

- At split in ramp, go right, towards Cambridge

- Go straight through 2 traffic lights, and over river

- Turn right at north bank of river, onto Memorial Drive.

- Follow Memorial Drive for 0.8-mile, and turn left at first traffic light (Hyatt Regency Hotel is on your left)

- Go right at the end of that short street, onto Vassar Street. Garage is 0.6-mile up on your left.

Distance = 21 miles (25-30 minutes)

Parking Garage to Awards Ceremony

- Cross Vassar Street, and walk between the two large buildings. The glass one on your left is DuPont Gymnasium. [Shower facilities are in here. Entrance is on the inner campus side.] Straight ahead of you is a rounded, armadillo-shaped building. This is Kresge Auditorium, where the Awards Ceremony will be held.