Springfield, Branson selected for AAU tournaments

Springfield will host the Division I girls 11 and under national championship tournament June 23–30, and Branson will hold the same event for Division II teams the same week.

Springfield hosted the same tournament earlier this year and drew about 5,000 people to town, each spending an average of $100 a day on lodging, food, transportation and recreation, according to the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We expect the tournament next year will be at least as big and hopefully even bigger than what it was this year,” said Tracy Kimberlin, executive director of CVB. “I think AAU was very impressed with the tournament that was held here this June and, as a result, decided to award it for ’06.”

Branson officials estimate next year’s event could bring in as much as $1.5 million in revenue for the city from an estimated 2,000 visitors.

Springfield has spent the last few years building its reputation to attract sporting events and in 2003 was named a Sports Illustrated Sportstown USA. Branson also has made similar efforts, investing $12 million in a new 44,000-square-foot RecPlex and creating the Branson Sports Authority, designed to promote the area for sporting events.

“We’ve now got things in place to compete for tournaments of this nature,” said Cindy Shook, director of parks and recreation for the city and co-chairman of Branson Sports Authority. “We’ve got the things AAU is looking for.”

In March, Branson hosted the Super Regional Girls Championship Tournament, bringing 55 teams to town and more than 2,500 visitors. Shook said the success of the event and the availability of attractive venues, hotels, restaurants and amusement opportunities caught AAU’s attention.

“They’re not just coming here to play basketball – families are having to take a week off from work, and they want to be able to enjoy it,” she said.