EFSC Soccer Tournament Boosts Local Economy

A major collegiate soccer tournament coming to Eastern Florida State College next week will infuse an estimated $1.1 million into the Brevard County economy.

The NJCAA Division 1 Women’s Soccer Championship Tournament, hosted by EFSC and Space Coast Sports Promotions, will bring a dozen teams to the college’s soccer field on its Melbourne campus Nov. 17-22.

Among the teams are the Eastern Florida Titans, which have earned their third straight tournament berth and are ranked third in the nation.

Hundreds of fans are expected for the weeklong event and will be staying in local hotels, eating at restaurants, shopping at stores and visiting sights such as NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

An economic impact study conducted by Space Coast Sports Promotions estimated the spending will total $1.1 million.

The figure is based on a model developed by the Florida Department of Commerce to determine the value of sporting events on local economies.

“The tournament is outstanding because it brings some of the best student-athletes in the nation to our community and gives residents a chance to see them in action,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey. “Its economic impact is also important because it puts dollars in the paychecks of Brevard workers and brings valuable revenue to a range of local businesses.”

This year’s impact is adding to the growing bottom line the college is bringing into Brevard from its athletic programs.

This is the fourth consecutive year the college is hosting the NJCAA soccer tournament, with the previous three events also bringing in an estimated $1 million each.

Furthermore, the college hosted the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Boys and Girls Soccer State Championships last year, pulling another $1 million.

That pushes the total for the events to $5 million using the state economic impact model.

“That money’s in circulation in Brevard because of the sports infrastructure, professional management and vision of Dr. Richey and EFSC in understanding that athletic programs are good for the entire community,” said Rusty Buchanan, executive director of Space Coast Sports Promotions.

The college expects the upward dollar trend to continue thanks to a new athletic complex on its Melbourne campus.

The soccer field opened in 2013 and new tennis courts, a new softball field and an upgraded baseball field will be completed in 2015.

All are designed to attract national collegiate and major state sporting events and more local spending.

“We’re just getting started and are excited about what’s ahead and the contribution it will make to the Brevard economy,” said Richey.

All matches are open to the public with ticket prices as follows: Tournament pass all-matches: Adult, $35. Students, $15. Individual match admission: Adult, $10. Students, $7. Children 5 and under, free. Also EFSC students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with school ID.

In addition to third-ranked Eastern Florida State College, tournament participants are Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona; Butler Community College, El Dorado, Kansas; Otero Junior College, LaJunta, Colorado; St. Charles Community College, Cottleville, Missouri; nationally second-ranked Monroe College, New Rochelle, New York; Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Illinois; Owens Community College, Findlay, Ohio; Navarro College, Corsicana, Texas; Darton State College, Albany, Georgia; defending champion and top-ranked Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Harford Community College, Bel Air, Maryland.