Eastern Florida Soccer Tournament Brings $1 million Boost to Brevard Economy

The NJCAA Division I women’s national soccer championship tournament coming Nov. 18-23 to Brevard County will provide an estimated $1 million boost to the local economy.

The tournament, hosted by Eastern Florida State College and Space Coast Sports Promotions, will be contested by 12 junior college teams from around the nation.

They include Eastern Florida’s nationally ranked Lady Titans, which made it to the national championship game last year before losing in the final.

The games will be played on Eastern Florida’s new, state-of-the-art soccer field that is among the best in Florida.

The facility, located on the Melbourne campus, includes seating for 1,000 spectators, a press box, adjacent locker rooms and concessions.

This marks the third consecutive year that Eastern Florida is hosting the tournament. A contract between the college and the NJCAA calls for the tournament to be played at Eastern Florida through 2016.

The event will add about $1 million to the local economy with teams and fans staying at Brevard hotels, eating at restaurants and seeing area sights, according to the Space Coast Office of Tourism.

“The tournament showcases some of the best soccer players in the nation and showcases our college and community as well,” said Eastern Florida President, Dr. Jim Richey.

“Its importance to Brevard businesses is growing every year as word spreads that Eastern Florida is a great place to play soccer and the Space Coast is a great place to visit.

“It’s an example of the college’s economic impact to the region, and we’ll keep striving to make it better every year,” he said.

Rob Varley, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism, said the tournament helps elevate the area’s national profile.

“It’s exciting to see the expansion of the college through its new academic and sports programs,” he said. “It really shows that our higher-education opportunities are growing and that will help us attract new businesses.”

Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, also cited the tournament’s value.

“Knowing that word-of-mouth advertising is among our most powerful opportunities, we applaud Eastern Florida State College for once again bringing hundreds of players, coaches, families and fans to our community,” she said.

“We appreciate both the short-term economic impact from this exciting event and the longer-term benefits we expect to see in the future.”

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 tournament opens with a Sunday, Nov. 17 banquet for the teams at the King Center for the Performing Arts.

The game schedule follows:

Monday, Nov. 18
•    College of Lake County vs. Iowa Western Community College, 10 a.m.
•    St. Louis Community College vs. Paradise Valley Community College, 1 p.m.
•    Owens Community College vs. Darton State College, 4 p.m.
•    Eastern Florida State College vs. Navarro College, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 19
•    College of Lake County vs. Monroe College, 10 a.m.
•    St. Louis Community College vs. Laramie County Community College, 1 p.m.
•    Owens Community College vs. Butler Community College, 4 p.m.
•    Eastern Florida State College vs. College of Southern Maryland, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 20
•    Monroe College vs. Iowa Western Community College, 10 a.m.
•    Laramie County Community College vs. Paradise Valley Community College, 1 p.m.
•    Butler Community College vs. Darton State College, 4 p.m.
•    College of Southern Maryland vs. Navarro College, 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 22
•    Semi Finals, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 23
•    National Championship Game, 7 p.m.

Daily spectator passes are $10 for adults and $7 for students. Tournament passes are $35 for adults and $15 for students. Children age 5 and under are free.

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

Saturday's National Championship Game also will be broadcast live on WEFS television starting at 6:30 p.m. EST. WEFS can be viewed over the air on channel 68.1 and on Bright House cable via channels 9, 455 and 1068.