In 2009, the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation recorded the most successful year in its 15 year history. Operating with a $250,000 budget, the Sports Foundation-supported events brought in 38,478 participants, over 118,000 total travelers and an estimated economic impact of $33,738,012. Highlights of the 96 events supported by the Sports Foundation last year include:
· Ultimate Mardi Gras XXII – February 21-22
o 100 Ultimate Frisbee teams from around the country
o Held at BREC’s Highland Road and Independence Parks
· Purple and Gold Cheer/Dance Championships – March 6-8
o Over 1,000 participants from around the Southeast
o Held in conjunction with LSU Gymnastics and held at PMAC and River Center
· Red Stick Recreational XVIII – March 14-15
o 170 youth soccer teams participated
o Conducted by Baton Rouge Soccer Association at BREC’s Burbank Soccer Complex
· Southern Bowling Congress Handicap – March 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 and April 4-5
o 2,300 participants from around the Southeast
o Hosted by Baton Rouge USBC
· USSSA Global Governor’s Games Tournament – May 22-24
o Youth baseball tournaments that attracted 89 teams
o Held at BREC’s Oak Villa Ball Complex
· United Cup – October 3-4
o 161 youth soccer teams participated
o Conducted by Baton Rouge Soccer Association at BREC’s Burbank Soccer Complex
· The National Bowling Association Southern Regional Tournament – Nov. 19-22
o 2500 bowlers from around the southwest and southeast
o Hosted by local TNBA chapter
“As great a year as 2009 was, 2010 looks to be as strong a year as ever,” said Jerry Stovall, president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation.
Stovall said the Sports Foundation’s efforts at BREC’s Oak Villa Ball Complex continue to pay major dividends. The complex will host more than 30 adult and youth baseball/softball tournaments that are expected to attract an estimated 60,000 people in 2010.
Stovall said that preparations continue for the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III tournament, which will bring to Baton Rouge over 12,000 people from 11 states for a week of championship-level soccer at BREC’s Burbank Soccer Complex.
Formed in 1994, the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to create a positive economic impact in the local community by assisting in securing and staging statewide, regional, national and international sporting competitions and special events in the Greater Baton Rouge area.
The Sports Foundation strives to continually develop the sports industry and solicit members from the community to assist in the pursuit of its mission to make Baton Rouge the amateur sports capital of the South. In 2009, BRASF received $50,000 from the city-parish and has a number of other sponsors and supporters that contribute to its $250,000 overall budget, including local businesses, the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, other government agencies and volunteer sports organizations.
