National Christian homeschool basketball tournament comes to Salina in 2024

The National Division II Christian Homeschool Association has selected Salina as its host location for its annual basketball tournaments from 2024 through 2026.

The three-day annual event is expected to attract around 80 teams of middle school and high school boys and girls from several states throughout the Midwest each year. In the past, the tournament has been held in Hutchinson, Kansas. Last year, the 17th annual National Division II Christian Homeschool Association (ND2CHA) tournament was held there.

What is the National Division II Christian Homeschool Association?

As homeschooling became more popular in the Midwest, athletic teams began to grow. The number of basketball teams across Kansas and surrounding states began to increase.

A tournament that got its start in the 1990s expanded to include more teams among more states. Its name changed a few times as it grew and evolved, and adapted to provide eligibility standards and other guidelines.

In 2005, Christian Homeschool Activities of the Mid Plains (CHAMP) was formed to allow teams from Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado to participate in the tournament with a focus on eligibility standards that would ensure a level playing field.

Standards included were character, age and academics. CHAMP was the third largest homeschool basketball tournament in the nation with 17 organizations and 58 teams participating.

In 2006, the ND2CHA was the first homeschool basketball tournament to define a Division II level of competition. This classification meant teams practice on an average of two or less times a week and have no more than thirty games in a season. Athletes maintain an average grade of “C” or above, are homeschooled for at least 50% of their course work and meet certain age requirements.

According to the ND2CHA website, the organization aims to provide a quality, Christ-centered basketball tournament for middle school and high school teams.

“Part of the tournament schedule includes free throw and three-point contests, triathlon competition and devotions that encourage sportsmanship and living for Jesus Christ on and off the court,” the website reads.

The tournament has drawn teams from Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska since 2006. It was held in Topeka and McPherson before a return to Hutchinson in 2021.

What the tournament will look like in Salina the next few years

Tournament dates for 2024, 2025, 2026:

2024: Feb. 29 - March 2 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

2025: March 6 - March 8 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

2026: March 5 - March 7 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

Games will be played in the Salina Fieldhouse and in Mabee Arena at Kansas Wesleyan University. Most of the tournament play will take place at the Salina Fieldhouse beginning Thursday. Games will begin at about 7:30 AM and continue to 10:00 PM daily.

On Friday afternoon, the event takes a “Time Out”, which is a special event for players and spectators featuring a devotional speaker and a shooting contest. The Time-Out will take place in Mabee Arena, where there will be plenty of seating and space for all participants.

Steve Poage, ND2CHA Basketball Tournament Director, said the organization is excited to have the tournament in Salina the next few years.

“Salina’s diverse lodging and dining options will provide excellent choices for our athletes, families, officials, and spectators,” Poage said in a press release. “We believe the move to Salina is a win-win — a win for the homeschool basketball organization — and a win for the student athletes and all participants.”

Visit Salina, a tourism arm of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, has estimated the tournament will generate an economic impact of $932,000 in the Salina area.

Sports and Special Events Manager for Visit Salina, Tiffany Benien, said the community working together was an important part in making the event a possibility in Salina.

“This is a great event for Salina, and we are so excited to welcome teams from throughout the United States,” Benien said. “I truly believe Salina will embrace this event, provide an atmosphere to grow in the future, and continue its success!”

Kendrick Calfee has been a reporter with the Salina Journal since 2022, primarily covering county government and education. You can reach him at kcalfee@gannett.com or on Twitter @calfee_kc.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: National Division II Homeschool Basketball tourney will come to Salina