Share

Columbia – The recent announcement of six NCAA championship events coming to South Carolina stems from, in part, an ongoing state and local tourism partnership that promotes South Carolina as a great destination for sports.

The South Carolina Sports Alliance and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism resumed its collaboration with the NCAA in 2015 after the Confederate flag was furled and the organization lifted its ban on post-season play. Within months, the sports promotion group met with the NCAA’s Championship Division in Indianapolis, IN, and sponsored the opening night of a major sports conference called TEAMS.

Additionally, local hosting teams pursued multiple events on the NCAA’s schedule, and SCPRT developed the Sports Tourism Advertising and Recruitment grant program to assist these communities with bidding and hosting costs.

“Our strategic push is paying off,” said SCPRT Director Duane Parrish. “We are grateful that the NCAA recognizes South Carolina as a great destination for sports and the fans who follow their teams. We’re even more excited that our destinations stand ready to host and we have the resources to support them.”

Tourism in South Carolina is a $20.2 billion industry and reliable indicators suggest the industry is growing. The addition of sports tournaments, and the crowds they bring, who book hotel rooms, dine at restaurants and visit attractions, will contribute to more growth.

The six championship events coming to South Carolina are:

·         The 2018 men's and women's cross country regional, at Winthrop Recreation Complex in Rock Hill

·         The 2019 first and second rounds, men's basketball tournament, Colonial Life Arena in Columbia

·         The 2019 men's golf regional at TPC Myrtle Beach, hosted by Coastal Carolina

·         The 2020 women's basketball regional at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville

·         The 2020 men's golf regional at Cliffs at Keowee Falls hosted by Clemson

·         The 2022 first and second rounds, men's basketball tournament, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville

For more information, contact Dawn Dawson-House at ddawson@scprt.com or 803-734-1779.

###