Last month’s successful move of the state’s 7 on 7 football tournament to Veterans Park has led to bringing the event back next year.
Kindra Fry of the Convention and Visitors Bureau says part of the credit goes to the College Station parks and recreation department.
Fry also applauded everyone who provided hospitality services to more than 2,500 participants and more than 13,000 visitors.
The CVB estimates the tournament generates an economic impact of around one million dollars.
In addition to 7 on 7, which features varsity high school players, Veterans Park also hosted the Prime Time tournament for seventh grade through junior varsity players. Fry says they’re working with Prime Time organizers to return next year.
Click below for comments from Kindra Fry, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.
News release courtesy of the Bryan/College Station Convention and Visitor’s Bureau:
While fall football is gearing up, there’s a tiny bit of news fans can look forward to next summer: the Texas State 7 on 7 football tournament will return to College Station in 2015. With it comes more than 13,000 participants, spectators, coaches and media as well as an economic impact that has averaged around one million dollars the past few years.
“The people we work with and the locals make such a big difference for everyone,” said 7 on 7 Executive Director Doug Stephens. “The people that come to this come from not just across the state, but from across the country. And they’ve had to work with other cities or other tournaments, so they know when they’re being treated well. Things like a central location help in the decision, but it’s a credit to the CVB and cities for what they do to make it special.”
The 2014 7 on 7 tournament – which was held in July at Veterans Park in College Station – brought in more than 2,500 participants, and over the course of the three day tournament brought in more than 13,000 more visitors for the event. The tournament created a citywide sell-out for hotel properties, and many restaurants had hour-long wait times during the days of the tournament.
“We’re more than excited that they have picked our community as the host site once again,” said Kindra Fry, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the CVB. “This is one of those premier sports events we love having here not only because of the economic impact, but also because it gives us a chance to expose our great cities to thousands of new visitors. On top of that, the media exposure for Aggieland through various state and national outlets is always positive as well.”
The tournament is set for July 9 through 11 and will be held once again at Veterans Park. The tournament had been held every year in College Station since 1998 on Texas A&M’s campus, but after NCAA rule changes in 2012 stating tournaments couldn’t be held on college campuses, 7 on 7 moved to Round Rock in 2013. However the BCS CVB staff, in partnership with City of College Station staff and other key community players, was able to lure it back to Aggieland last year.
“I say it’s kind of similar to when you’re dating someone – you know pretty quick if you like them or not. There’s no grey area. And the folks at the CVB and Veterans Park have made it clear how they feel about working with us,” Stephens said. “The people we work with there live their words – they say whatever it takes, and they mean it. I can pick up the phone and Kindra or whomever will get it done. So we’re just really excited to come back and make it bigger and better than before.”