Gulf South Basketball Championship offers Homewood residents four days of excitement
Homewood will host the Raymond James Gulf South Conference (GSC) Basketball Championship next week, and the conference is pulling out all the stops to show the city and its residents it’s thrilled to have the opportunity.
The tournament, which begins March 7 at Samford University, will stretch over four days and include 14 games – seven between collegiate men’s teams and seven between women’s.
For Homewood residents, GSC has lined up several events and specials to show its appreciation to the city, Commissioner Nate Salant said. These begin with a team welcoming event that’s free and open the public on Wednesday, March 6 at SoHo Square.
The tournament begins the next afternoon at Samford’s Pete Hanna Center. Its schedule features eight men’s and eight women’s teams from the conference competing for conference championships, which will be played Sunday, March 10.
On Friday, March 7 from 8 p.m.-midnight, GSC will host Fanfest at Michael’s Restaurant in Homewood, highlighted by free wings and soft drinks to fans with ticket stubs from the day’s games.
Saturday, March 9 is Boys and Girls Scout Day at the Championship. Scouts wearing their uniforms or who bring proof get in free, and the Conference will provide them with special merit badges.
GSC has designated Sunday, March 10 as Homewood “Your City of Champions Day.” Children 12 and under who live in Homewood and are accompanied by an adult will be admitted to the title games free.
Salant added that city government “stepped up big” to help accommodate the championship. According to Homewood City Council member Britt Thames, the city seized the opportunity to promote Homewood during the event, and the community will be featured during games with multiple opportunities including TV commercials.
“We’ll be promoting the city as a whole,” Thames said. “It’s good for everyone involved to have this tournament here – especially since this is a Birmingham-based conference.”
GSC’s headquarters is located in Shelby County. Salant said the Birmingham area is the geographic center of the conference, which includes schools from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida. Salant said the conference has reserved more than 530 rooms, almost exclusively in Homewood, for players and coaches. He estimates the total economic impact of hosting the tournament at Samford could be in excess of $100,000.
But while important, money isn’t everything, he said.
“Our goal is atmosphere and excitement,” Salter said. “This is not a dollar-driven event. We know we’ll never make big money because we aren’t a big conference like the SEC, but our basketball is as good at our level as big conferences are at theirs.”
Salant said last year’s tournament of 14 games included five that went to overtime and 12 that were decided in the final minute.
If schedules line up, GSC has the option to host the tournament at Samford next year as well, and hopes Homewood residents come out this year to secure that future.
“It’s very clear Samford want this to happen,” Salant said. “They’ve been extremely welcoming, but everyone in Homewood is that way. There’s such a strong sense of community here.”
Championship Schedule
Games at the Hanna Center on the Campus of Samford University
Wednesday, March 6
5:30 -6:30 p.m.: Meet The Teams Welcoming Event in Soho Square: The Nos. 1, 2, 7 and 8 seeded teams from the Men's and Women's Tournaments will be introduced and the All-Conference Teams revealed. There will be a DJ playing music, free hot dogs and soft drinks, and a chance to mingle with the teams.
Thursday, March 7
Noon: Women's Quarter-Final Game
2:30 p.m.: Women's Quarter-Final Game
5:30 p.m.: Men's Quarter-Final Game
7:30 p.m.: Men's Quarter-Final Game
Friday, March 8
Noon: Women's Quarter-Final Game
2:30 p.m.: Women's Quarter-Final Game
5:30 p.m.: Men's Quarter-Final Game
7:30 p.m.: Men's Quarter-Final Game
8 p.m.-midnight: Fanfest At Michael's Restaurant (free wings and soft drinks for fans with ticket stubs from the games).
Saturday, March 9
Boys And Girls Scout Day: All scouts in uniform or with scouting ID admitted free with adult; pledge of allegiance to be led by scouts.
Noon: Women's Semi-Final Game
2:30 p.m.: Women's Semi-Final Game
5:30 p.m.: Men's Semi-Final Game
7:30 p.m.: Men's Semi-Final Game
Sunday, March 10
Homewood "Your City Of Champions" Day: All Children 12 And Under Who Reside In Homewood Admitted Free When Accompanied By An Adult.
1:30 p.m.: Women's Championship Game followed by awards presentation
4:30 p.m.: Men's Championship Game followed by awards presentation
* Teams and match-ups will be announced March 2 after the GCS Regular Season ends.
* GSC members are: University of Alabama in Huntsville, Christian Brothers University, Delta State University, University of North Alabama, Valdosta State University, University of West Alabama, University of West Florida, University of West Georgia.
* Games aired live on GSC-TV, CSS and ESPN3
* $8 - General admission tickets
* $5 - GSC students, senior citizens, active military
* Children under 5 admitted free.