Wisconsin and the people who make the state their home -- love sports. Sports fans enthusiastically support and attend events, from major league to amateur, from annual contests to favorites with lengthy seasons. And more and more sports organizations are falling in love with Wisconsin. It’s easy to see why. Wisconsin boasts top-notch facilities, including stadiums and sports complexes as well as hotels, restaurants, and attractions for athletes and their “booster clubs.”
Additionally, Wisconsin knows how to roll out the red carpet for sporting events. The state’s many chambers of commerce and visitor & convention bureaus are eager to lend a hand to sports organizers when it comes to tasks such as marketing and promotion, recruitment of volunteers, hotel room blocks and more. The same can be said for several statewide organizations, including the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Department of Commerce, Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, and the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation.
Here are just some of the great success stories about sports events held in Wisconsin.
US Youth Soccer Region II Championship
Fox Cities, WI
The US Youth Soccer Region II Championship is one of only four youth soccer regional events held each year across the country. This event greatly benefited the Fox Cities area in 2006, bringing in 210 teams from 14 states. Over 4,000 kids participated in the US Youth Soccer Region II Championship producing several happy memories of the Fox Cities region. “We were fortunate to bring our US Youth Soccer Region II Championships to the Fox Cities area last summer. We had a wonderful experience working with the Fox Cities CVB and the local volunteers were outstanding. They worked tirelessly to make our experience in the area a memorable one,” said US Youth Soccer Region II Cup Chairman, Bob Hart.
Currently, Fox Cities is planning to place a bid to host the championship in 2010.
Stihl Timbersports Championships
Chippewa Falls, WI
The Stihl Timbersports Series Championships features six lumberjack sports: spring board, stock saw, underhand chop, single buck, standing block chop and hot saw. The event draws 4,000 people and attracts international attention.
In 2003 and 2004 Chippewa Falls hosted the event that was showcased on ESPN and ESPN 2. “I can’t explain how pleased we were with Chippewa Falls. The site met all our expectations, and the support and enthusiasm we witnessed were very encouraging,” said Promotional Communications Manager for Stihl Timbersports, Roger Phelps. After the success in 2003 and 2004, Chippewa Falls was selected as the site for the Stihl Timbersports Series Qualifier in 2005. After all three events, Chippewa Falls brought in an estimated $970,000 in economic benefit.
ESPN BASS Elite 50
Chippewa Falls, WI
The ESPN BASS Elite 50 showcases the top 50 world professional anglers. This tournament lasts a week with two days of practice and four days of competition. Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls hosted the event in 2005. This was the first time the event came to Wisconsin, and it proved to be a huge opportunity to generate sport fishing travel to the state.
“Chippewa Falls was a terrific place for our Elite 50 Event. With the best 50 anglers in the world it was a great community with strong support. The fans were passionate, the fishing was challenging and the Chippewa Valley Sports Commission executed on all levels!” said Janet Bell of ESPN Outdoors. The amount of media attention as a result of the tournament was phenomenal. The tournament was covered by Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times, Bassmaster TV and ESPN 2, equating to over 50 million people learning about fishing in Chippewa Falls. In addition, over 14,000 people attended the event and the Chippewa Falls region received an estimated $2,040,000 in economic benefit.
2004 PGA Championship
Sheboygan, WI
The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the Professional Golfers Association of America as part of the PGA Tour, and is one of four major championships in men’s golf. In 2004 Wisconsin, with nearly 500 courses statewide, was chosen to host the championship. “Wisconsin has reason to be proud. Not only was it a superb championship, but it gave the world a chance to see Wisconsin in a new light,” said PGA Championship Tournament Director Barry Deach. The championship pumped more than $76 million dollars into Wisconsin’s economy breaking all previous records for the PGA Championship. Over 300,000 people attended the event and the PGA Championship broke another record with 94,000 paid admissions. “For more than a year I’ve been telling folks that Wisconsin is a great golf state,” said Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, “and this confirms that Wisconsin supports major championship golf in a big way.”
NAFA World Series Fastpitch Softball
Fox Cities, WI
The North American Fastpitch Association hosts the largest annual men’s fastpitch softball tournament in the world. In 2006 Wisconsin’s Fox Cities region hosted the event, bringing in over 125 teams and spectators. The tournament lasts 11 days and has a history of bringing in over $1 million dollars in economic benefit. “The Fox Cities and its local businesses opened up their arms to our group. I cannot imagine any other city ever being able to provide the hospitality that the Fox Cities did. Their leadership committee of Pete Schueppert, Mark and Chad were organized, detailed and ahead of the game at every step,” said NAFA Executive Director, Benjie Hedgecock. The NAFA World Series tournament is scheduled to return to the Fox Cities in 2009.
2002 MLB All-Star Game
Milwaukee, WI
The MLB All-Star Game, also known as the “Midsummer Classic,” is an annual baseball game between players from the National and American Leagues. Starting positions are selected by votes from fans. Brew City hosted the game at Miller Park in 2002. The excitement and novelty of the game boosted the downtown hotel business filling 11,325 rooms. The economic impact was $7.1 million dollars. Milwaukee All-Star Game Commissioner, Allan H. “Bud” Selig stated, “I’ve chosen to locate the office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball in Milwaukee because I believe Milwaukee offers a unique brand of hospitality and a genuine quality of civic goodwill and spirit that is unmatched anywhere. By hosting the 2002 All-Star Game at Miller Park, Major League Baseball and the Milwaukee Brewers were proud to invite baseball fans from around the world to step foot into the city and its new ballpark and experience, as I have, the unique culture, entertainment and hospitality that is Milwaukee.”
NCAA Frozen Four
Milwaukee, WI
The NCAA Frozen Four is the trademarked name of the final two rounds of the NCAA Division I championship of ice hockey in the U.S. In 2006 the men’s game took place at Milwaukee’s own Bradley Center, home of the professional American Hockey League team the Milwaukee Admirals. The Wisconsin Badgers did the state proud that weekend beating the Boston College Eagles 2-1. In a letter to VISIT Milwaukee, Andrea Nilsen of UW-Madison stated, “It was great to have loyal friends of UW Hockey take part in what became a once-in-a-lifetime experience! There were many pieces of the puzzle that needed to connect in order to make the 2006 Frozen Four truly successful. Thank you for helping make those connections happen!” The sporting event was very successful for the city as well, bringing in $1 million and filling 1,787 hotel rooms. Tournament Director and President of the Bradley Center, Steve Costello remarked, “A lot of hard work went into the successful production of this event, but it was especially gratifying given we were able to collaborate with passionate, talented people. It was a great day for hockey in the state of Wisconsin…”
Ironman Triathlon
Madison, WI
The Ironman Triathlon is an annual race made famous by its grueling length, race conditions and sports television coverage. In 2006 Madison hosted one of the qualifying events. Participants had to endure a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run. Madison is one of the biggest fan bases of the eight North American Ironmans with an estimated 30,000 spectators who came to watch the race. In total, there were 2,200 participants. “The Madison CVB staff went above and beyond to highlight the benefits Madison has to offer our event and our company. It was that effort and professionalism that made Madison stand out from other cities that bid for the event,” said Ironman North American President, Graham Fraser. The 2006 race benefited the Madison community in many ways. The total economic impact was $2,251,260 and area hotels booked 5,000 rooms for the weekend. Area bike stores and retail shops also profited. With the increased traffic many were able to grow their businesses, while some even establish new sports stores. In addition, the funds that were raised at the Verona Ironman Loop festival went to support the Verona Area School District and businesses. A letter from the O’Reilly Family stated, “On behalf of my family I would like to thank all the people of Madison and surrounding areas for their wonderful hospitality during our recent visit to compete in Ironman Wisconsin. I myself competed in IMW, and have to say it is going to be a strong favorite on the Ironman circuit with the incredible swim location and beautiful countryside on the bike leg. I cannot wait for my finishing photo with the Capitol Building in the background, a stunning finish line location.”
Spirit of Racine Triathlon
Racine, WI
The Spirit of Racine Triathlon is an annual event that includes a 1.2 mile swim in Lake Michigan, 56 mile bike ride on the rolling hills of Racine County and 13.1 mile run through Racine’s historic neighborhoods along the lake. In past years this two-day event has drawn 16,000 participants to its half triathlon and an additional 450 to the sprint triathlon. The event has been very successful for the community providing an estimated $850,000 in economic benefit.
EVP ProBeach Volleyball Tournament
Racine, WI
The EVP ProBeach Volleyball Tournament has been held in Racine for the past two years. In 2007 team participation was up 25 percent with a total of 100 teams. There were over 1,000 spectators, and Racine was honored to receive the “Host City of the Year” award in 2006 and 2007. Ross Balling, EVP Tour Commissioner, said, “This award is given by the players and EVP staff to the City who opens up their resources and assists the EVP in producing a “world class” event. Our players are still talking about the Racine spectators and the exciting atmosphere that was built.” Balling stated, “We choose Racine for a couple of reasons. First the size of the beach and the quality of sand was exactly what we were looking for. The sand is Grade A quality, meaning that it is extra soft and won’t turn your skin red or brown after playing for long periods of time. Secondly, when we met with the Mayor of Racine and the CVB we were really impressed with their enthusiasm for the sport.”
Pleasant Prairie Triathlon
Kenosha, WI
The Pleasant Prairie Triathlon had immediate success when it first began in 2002. Over 500 athletes from 16 states participated, and a partnership with the Danskins Women Triathlon Series attracted more than 2,000 women to the area. In 2003, Pleasant Prairie partnered with Lake Michigan Triathlon and the Kenosha YMCA Triathlon, attracting a wider variety of athletes. After the 2007 season, 30,000 athletes will have visited the Kenosha area. The triathlon’s mission is to create a grassroots race for junior to senior division athletes with an emphasis on celebrating the spirit of participation and competition.
Federation International Volleyball World League
Green Bay, WI
The 2007 World League is an international men’s volleyball tournament made up of 16 teams. This past summer Green Bay was chosen to host the Japan v. U.S.A. play-off games. Team U.S.A. won that weekend and took home the 2007 World League bronze medal. “You can’t say enough about Green Bay as a sports city,” USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal said. “Its support of the Packers is unmatched in any other NFL city and we hope to get similar support for our team.” Green Bay ended up receiving a score of 562 out of 577. This high score meant a lot to the city when they discovered the World League tournament is normally hosted in a city at least twice the size of Green Bay. “The Resch Center was a perfect location for the World League volleyball event, mainly because the arena is perfect for an international event of its size. The airport, host hotel and arena were all located within a 10-minute drive of each other, so getting around town was very easy as compared to a larger city,” said Joel Everts of the Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The economic impact of the event was $200,000 and approximately 4,600 people attended the weekend matches that were broadcast on ESPNU and FUJI-TV, one of Japan’s largest broadcast networks.
NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Regionals – Midwest
Green Bay, WI
Prior to the 2006 Frozen Four in Milwaukee, Green Bay was host to the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Regionals - Midwest. The event was held at the Resch Center, an 8500-seat hockey arena that opened in 2003. Wisconsin, Cornell, Colorado College and Bemidji State were the four teams that advanced to the Midwest Regionals. In the end, it was Wisconsin that earned a ticket to the Frozen Four by beating Cornell 1-0 in triple overtime. The event brought an estimated economic impact of just under $1 million to the Green Bay area. The Regionals were unique to Green Bay, as it was hosted by Michigan Tech University. A D1 college hockey program located over four hours away from Green Bay. The university was forced to hold the event at another location because their facilities could not accommodate an event of its size. “Everything worked out great - between the cooperation from Packer Country, the Resch Center and our staff at MTU, the event was a huge success,” Suzanne Sanregret, Michigan Tech Athletic Director said. |
