BCC-Hosted Tournament Boosts Local Economy

November 8, 2012 - The NJCAA Division I women’s national soccer championship tournament coming Nov. 12-17 to Brevard County will provide an estimated $1 million boost to the economy.

The tournament, hosted by Brevard Community College and Space Coast Sports Promotions, will be contested by 12 community college teams from around the nation.

They include BCC’s No. 1-ranked team, the Lady Titans, with games played at Melbourne Central Catholic High School on Florida Ave.

This marks the second year the tournament will be held in Brevard. Eight teams participated in 2011 and gave a $450,000 lift to the economy.

This year’s larger slate of teams is expected to more than double that figure.

“We’re proud to host the tournament again this year and showcase our college and our community,” said BCC President, Dr. Jim Richey.

“It’s a great sporting event and a great economic assist to Brevard with players, coaches, families, fans and scouts staying at local hotels and eating at local restaurants.

“It’s another example of the important role the college plays in helping the Space Coast economy,” he said.

Teams will stay at two host hotels — Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront and Doubletree Suites Melbourne Oceanfront. Other places of lodging could also see increased bookings.

“The importance of amateur and collegiate sports to Brevard's economy has grown significantly over these last couple of years,” said Rob Varley, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism.

“With new development of facilities such as the Chain of Lakes Park in Titusville and the potential redevelopment of Cocoa Expo, Brevard County is positioned to be highly competitive in attracting additional sports events to Central Florida.”

Varley added that “BCC's prowess in community college athletics will only help further our goal to become a prominent sports competition destination.”

Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, also noted the value of sports to Brevard’s bottom line.

"Tourism is a key economic driver on the Space Coast, and tournaments and similar events provide a considerable economic benefit to the hospitality and supporting industry sectors," she said.

Here is the full list of participating teams and their tournament seeding:

1.  Brevard Community College
2.  Paradise Valley Community College, Ariz.
3.  Iowa Western Community College
4.  Butler Community College, Kan.
5.  Tyler Junior College, Texas
6.  Monroe Community College, N.Y.
7.  Laramie County Community College, Wyo.
8.  Darton State College, Ga.
9.  St. Louis Community College, Mo.
10.  College of Lake County, Ill.
11.  Louisburg College, N.C.
12.  Muskegon Community College, Mich.

The tournament opens with practices Sun., Nov. 11 followed by a banquet at 6:30 p.m. that night at BCC’s Melbourne Campus gym.

Games begin at 9 a.m. on Mon., Nov. 12 at Melbourne Central Catholic. Matches will be played at 9 and 11 a.m. and 2 and 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 12-14.

The semifinals will be at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 16. The championship game is at 6 p.m. on Nov. 17.

Daily passes are $10 for adults and $7 for students. Tournament passes are $25 for adults and $15 for students. Children ages 5 and under are free.

Games will be webcast live at www.ihigh.com/njcaatv and www.spacecoastsportstv.com