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Volume 2, Issue 4 - November 2006
In the News

Tampa Selected to Host 2008 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship

 

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has announced that Tampa has been awarded the 2008 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship. Through a partnership between the University of Tampa, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, this prestigious Championship will take place at Pepin Rood Stadium on December 5 and 7, 2008.

 

"This is an outstanding announcement for our community," said Larry Marfise, University of Tampa Director of Athletics.  "It speaks volumes to the confidence that the NCAA has in our destination and we look forward to working with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission to make the event an overwhelming success."

 

This 32-team, single elimination tournament is structured around the eight NCAA regions (Great Lakes, Appalachian, South, Southeast, Midwest, Far West, Northeast and New England). Four teams from each region are selected to compete, with the top team in each region serving as the host institution.  After three rounds of on-campus competition, the final four teams will come to Tampa to battle for the chance to become the 2008 Division II National Champions.

 

This marks the seventh major NCAA Championship scheduled to take place in Tampa in the next six years.

 

The Tampa Bay Sports Commission Sets Room Night Record for the Second Straight Year

                                                               

For the second consecutive year, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission set a room night record generating over 127,000 room nights in Hillsborough County during the 2005/06 fiscal year.  This year's total marks an 87 percent increase from the 2005 room night total of 68,000.  With the year ending September 30, the Sports Commission was responsible for attracting over 75 sporting events and more than 256,000 attendees to the Tampa Bay region.

"Our record breaking year is a testament to our incredible partnership with the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau," said Rob Higgins, Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director.  "Through the vision and foresight just a few short years ago of Tampa Bay CVB CEO Paul Catoe, Hillsborough Board of County Commission Chairman Jim Norman, and both the sports commission and CVB boards, we were able to forge a highly successful relationship that is focused on being a national leader in the sports tourism market. We have heard time and time again that our clients have a true appreciation for the one-stop-shop approach that we offer by being at the table hand in hand with the Tampa Bay CVB."

 

"While our significant increase in visitor room nights featured over 40 new sporting events this past year that our county has never before had the opportunity to host, we have also worked diligently to provide attendance builders and additional infrastructure to grow the area's annual events that have long been a part of the fabric of our dynamic sports community," added Higgins.

 

 USL SoccerFest Celebrates Anniversary in Style

The 2006 USL SoccerFest featuring the USL Annual General Meeting and Super Y-League North American Finals concluded last Tuesday in fine fashion as 10 youth teams were crowned champions, bringing to a close one of the biggest weeks in North American soccer.

"This was an outstanding week for USL Soccer," said USL Vice President Tim Holt. "The USL AGM and Super Y-League Finals are easily the two biggest events we host each year and to merge them together successfully was quite an accomplishment and I am proud of everyone involved. For the first time, our senior level franchises and youth teams were able to witness first-hand the scope and impact of United Soccer Leagues as they helped us celebrate our 20th Anniversary. I would also like to once again thank the Tampa Bay Sports Commission for all of their assistance in organizing this special event."

The University of Notre Dame Claims Inaugural Lightning Hockey Classic Title

The University of Notre Dame hockey team earned its first tournament crown since 1981 with back-to-back shutout victories over Army and Air Force at the inaugural Lightning College Hockey Classic at the St. Pete Times Forum, October 28 and 29.  Following the championship trophy presentation, a championship banner was raised to the rafters proclaiming the Fighting Irish as the 2006 champions. The tournament also featured the University of Alabama-Huntsville, the host institution for the upcoming 2012 Frozen Four.

With over 13,000 fans attending the Forum over the two-day tournament, the weekend was deemed a great success with a multitude of positive comments from the players and coaching staffs of each institution.

"This has been unbelievable," said Army Head Coach Brian Riley.  "It's something our guys will never forget.  It's a first-class tournament.  I would tell any college hockey coach if they have the opportunity to play here they can't turn it down."

Notre Dame Head Coach Jeff Jackson added, "This is a tournament where the people from the Lightning did a great job."

SPA Winter Nationals Hits a Homerun in Tampa

Over 800 senior softball players from across the country came to Tampa on the final weekend of October to participate in the 2006 Softball Players Association (SPA) Winter Nationals. This national championship was held at the Ed Radice and Greco softball complexes and featured over 45 teams in seven age divisions, ranging from 50+ to 80+.

This marked the first time the SPA Winter Nationals had been held in Tampa.  Teams from as far away as Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, and Ohio came to compete in one of senior softball's top tournaments and helped generate more than 1,700 room nights.

"We are very, very excited about being in Tampa," explained Ridge Hooks, executive director of the SPA.  "It's a great location and a great place for our teams to bring their spouses and have a chance to shop and be a part of the Florida experience.  These are tremendous facilities, and we look forward to the opportunity to be here over the next few years and really build the tournament."

"The feedback we have received from the teams and the SPA staff has been overwhelmingly positive," said Jason Aughey, Tampa Bay Sports Commission Sports Sales and Events Manager. "With nearly double the amount of teams expected in 2007, preparations are currently being made to make next year's Winter Nationals even better."

Top Arabian Horses Spend Thanksgiving in Tampa

 

Over 450 horses and their riders representing 15 different states came to Tampa over Thanksgiving week to participate in the 37th Annual Arabian Horse Association of Florida (AHAF) Thanksgiving Arabian Show and National Show Horse (NSH) Eastern District Championships at the Florida State Fairgrounds' Bob Thomas Equestrian Center.

 

"What makes us different is our willingness to do things that stand out to our participants; people who over the years have become part of our family," said John Gersch, show manager of the Arabian Horse Association of Florida.  "We do that by putting on outstanding events each and every year, which indirectly makes our events unique and special."

 

With national level competitors and trainers coming from across the country, this year's event generated more than 1,600 visitor room nights for the Tampa Bay area.

 

"This is a first class event in every respect," said Jason Aughey, Tampa Bay Sports Commission Sports Sales and Events Manager.  "The amount of detail that goes into this show is one of the reasons why it continues to rank in the top 10 of shows its size each year. We are proud to be associated with the AHAF and look forward to continuing this great relationship."

Upcoming Events                          

American Youth Football Winter Nationals

The Tampa Bay Sports Commission will welcome the 2006 American Youth Football and Cheerleading National Championship to Tampa during the first week of December. Starting December 5, over 110 youth football teams will descend upon Tampa and Lakeland to compete in one of the country's most coveted youth championships.  On Saturday, December 9, the University of South Florida will host the American Youth Cheerleading Championship, featuring approximately 200 cheer squads. Teams must place first, second or third at their respective regional competitions to qualify and receive a berth to participate in this national championship.  The event is expected to draw an estimated 10,000 participants and spectators.

"We could not be more excited to welcome the American Youth Football and Cheerleading participants, coaches and families to Tampa this December," said Jason Aughey, Tampa Bay Sports Commission Sports Sales and Events Manager.  "Having worked so closely with the national staff over the past year we are confident that our efforts will not only lead to a successful championship this year, but will also lead to additional championships for the Tampa Bay area in the future."

 

 

Volunteer Opportunities               

 

High School All-Star Game - December 2, 2006 and Game Day of Champions - December 16, 2006

 

The Tampa Bay Sports Commission is in the process of organizing our volunteer efforts for the annual High School All-Star Game and Game Day of Champions events that will be held on December 2 and December 16 at Raymond James Stadium. Assistance is needed with team check-in, escorting teams and cheerleaders and welcoming fans to the stadium. For more volunteer information or to sign-up, please contact Blake Guthrie at bguthrie@VisitTampaBay.com or (813) 342-4075.

 

ACC Men's Basketball Tournament - March 8-11, 2007

This March, the eyes of the sports world will be on Tampa Bay as we host the 2007 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament.  The Tampa Bay Sports Commission is searching for energetic individuals to act as community ambassadors for the event and be a part of making sure the event's first trip to the state of Florida is an overwhelming success.  Those individuals interested in learning more about potential volunteer opportunities can contact Blake Guthrie at 813-342-4075 or bguthrie@VisitTampaBay.com.

 

 

Visit our newly remodeled website at

www. TampaBaySports.org for the latest events

coming to Tampa Bay and to learn about our

exciting membership opportunities.

 

 

 

 

The Tampa Bay Sports Commission is a private, non-profit, 501c3, charitable corporation that serves the entire Tampa Bay area as the lead organization for bidding on and hosting major amateur sporting events. Our mission is to attract, promote and/or organize major amateur sporting events, and grassroots youth sports programs, that foster the ongoing development and quality of life for the entire Tampa Bay area.

 

 

 

Tampa Bay Sports Commision - 400 North Tampa Street, Suite 2800, Tampa, Florida 33602
Ph: 813.223.1111 - Toll Free: 800.826.8358 - Fax: 813.218.3376 - www.TampaBaySports.org
For more information, email Blake Guthrie at bguthrie@VisitTampaBay.com


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