Thousands of Iowans will be heading to Omaha, beginning Friday for the College World Series. Eight teams will compete over 10 days with the hopes of being crowned NCAA champion. Des Moines native Amy Hornocker is executive director of the organizing group College World Series of Omaha Inc. Last year the event drew a record average attendance of nearly 24 thousand, 800 fans to Charles Schwab Field.

This marks the 75th anniversary of Omaha hosting the event, which dates back to 1950 in Rosenblatt Stadium.

The city is currently in the midst of a 25-year extension from the NCAA to host the event through 2036. Hornocker says their goal is to keep it from ever going to bid.

Hornocker says they are always looking for ways to improve the event and that includes upgrades to Charles Schwab Field, which opened in 2011.

The opening game is Friday afternoon and features Arizona against Costal Carolina.