Council 'invests' in Gulf South tournament
This week, Samford University is welcoming the 2014 Gulf South Conference Basketball Championships. Games are open to the public, but residents won’t need to attend to see benefits to the City of Homewood.
The Homewood City Council approved $5,000 of its 2014 advertising fund of $7,500 to go to GSC for the tournament. In exchange, Gulf South President Nate Salant said members of the Council, Mayor Scott McBrayer and other Homewood figures will be featured in on-air interviews during every game of the tournament if desired.
Those interviews, as well as commercials for the city, will be aired on ESPN3, CSS and other networks.
But screen time isn’t the only benefit for the City. Salant said GSC teams are renting 538 hotel rooms this year — all in Homewood. In addition, the conference is hosting two banquets at Rosewood Hall that will be catered by Homewood restaurants, and all teams will have mandatory meals at O’Charley’s and Moe’s Southwest Grill in Wildwood.
“I call it an investment because we’re getting good money back on this,” Council member Walter Jones said.
Members of the Council’s Finance Committee unanimously supported providing funding on the assurance GSC would provide a financial benefit summary following the event.
“I think it’s a good thing because not only would you have teams staying in our hotels but also the families and bands who come with them,” Homewood Chamber of Commerce Tricia Ford said. “We’ve got 70 percent occupancy now, and this is one of our big desires, to stimulate occupancy on that end of town.”
Salant said two banquets will be held at Rosewood Hall to welcome members of the competing teams. Four of the eight participating teams will be recognized each night. On March 5, GSC will also reveal the 2014 All-Conference Team.
In addition, GSC has named Sunday, March 9 as “Homewood City of Champions Day.” Children will be admitted free when attending with Homewood residents who bring proof of residency.
Salant said those in the area who would like help obtaining tickets for groups of children aided by area nonprofits can contact him at 991-9880 or by emailing gulfsout@ix.netcom.com.
For more on the tournament and the official matchups, visit gscsports.org.
2014 GSC Tournament Schedule
March 6
Women’s Quarter Finals, 12:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Men’s Quarter Finals, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
March 7
Women’s Quarter Finals, 12:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Men’s Quarter Finals, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
March 8
Women’s Quarter Finals, 12:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Men’s Quarter Finals, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
March 9
Women’s Championship, 1:30 p.m.
Men’s Championship, 4:30 p.m.
All tickets to the 2014 GSC tournaments are general admission and are provided on a per-day basis.
Adults, $8
GSC students, senior citizens (60 years or older) and active military, $5 (with proper identification)
Children younger than 5 admitted free