Any viewing parties of the NCAA Cross Country Championships in the Seattle area?

After receiving this press release yesterday from University of Oregon track/cross country media contact Greg Walker, paulmerca.blogspot.com wondered if there were any viewing parties Monday morning in the Seattle area to watch the #1 ranked University of Washington women's cross country team in its quest for a national title.

Given the general "suckiness" of Seattle sports teams in 2008, one would think that the sports fans of Seattle would want to embrace a winner (Mariners--DFL; Sonics--DFL & masquerading as the Oklahoma City Thunder; Seahawks--currently DFL; Husky football--currently DFL & battling Washington State this Saturday in the "Rotten Apple Cup" for DFL).

Having the NCAA championship meet on Monday morning at 9 am Seattle time isn't exactly the best time to have a sporting event, but it is what it is.

If any of you know of any public viewing parties (whether it's at a running store, sports bar/restaurant, etc.), please let us know by hitting the comment link at the bottom of this post, and we'll post it here!

According to this press release from the USTFCCCA,“A live television broadcast, and the ability to watch the championship online for the second year in a row, is such a huge step in the sport of cross country,” said Robyne Johnson, NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championship Committee Chair. “With so many student-athletes from all over the country, it is great that their family and friends who aren’t able to attend the championship can watch them on television or online. We were very happy with the 2007 championship viewership and we are hoping even more tune in this year.”

Last year 8,531 people watched the championship online, representing the highest viewership of any NCAA championship other than men’s and women’s basketball.

CBS Sports, the broadcast rights holder for the Championship, worked in conjunction with the NCAA and the U. S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) to create a live broadcast of the championships.

“The USTFCCCA plans to continue to work with the NCAA in exploring and implementing new ideas and technologies that will enhance the championship experience for student-athletes and NCAA member institutions as well as contribute to the growth of cross country,” said USTFCCCA CEO Sam Seemes. “Last year’s live broadcast of the Division I Cross Country Championships was the first step.”

The NCAA cross country championships will be shown on CBS College Sports (channel 412 on Comcast in Seattle; may have to upgrade to get the sports tier package) starting at 9 am Monday, and online at ncaa.com.