by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
“It’s good for the economy of the whole community to have big-time sports. There is no doubt the Georgia-Florida game, the Gator Bowl and certainly the Jaguars have done that for the city.”
That’s how Gator Bowl Association (GBA) President Rick Catlett assesses the impact of not just the games his organization helps set up and run, but the 10 Jaguars games a year and the impact they have on the local economy and how they help the area’s reputation across the country.
Tuesday, Catlett said the GBA will continue to work to bring games like this year’s Florida State-Colorado match-up to town as well as two quality opponents and their fans to the Konica-Minolta Gator Bowl. Catlett says it’s very likely Jacksonville won’t get FSU — or anyone else for that matter — back next year for an out-of-conference game. However, after that, look for Catlett and his staff to secure two major Bowl Championship Series programs for many years to come. Then, he said, look for the GBA to start working on non-football events.
“The Gator Bowl Association’s effort is to maintain the college football element and expand,” he said. “We just sent 22 universities our neutral site game package.”
Catlett said he met Wednesday with the athletics director at the University of South Florida and has talked to Clemson, as well, about playing a game here. Catlett said he likes the idea of having a big-time game in late September, the Georgia-Florida game in October and the Gator Bowl on New Year’s day. Those three games, combined with the Jaguars, help make Jacksonville a football hotbed and they bring money-spending football fans to town.
That said, Catlett says it’s time to work in coordination with the City to bring events other than football to town.
“We made the calculated decision to go after sports outside of football. Next spring we will get aggressive,” said Catlett. “We are going to take a bigger role and that begins with getting the SEC gymnastics championships in 2010.”
Mike Bouda, director of the sports board for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, said Catlett hasn’t talked with him about pursuing events other than football.
“I am not sure of his intentions. He hasn’t reached out to me,” said Bouda. “He needs the City to be successful. If he is trying to get basketball again for the Gator Bowl, that would be a great thing. I will wait and see what Rick is looking for.”
Bouda said he is currently working on the marketing plan for the first two rounds of the 2010 men’s NCAA basketball tournament, which Jacksonville will host for the second time. Bouda said he must have his marketing plan in place by November and he expects tickets will go on sale by May of next year.
“We sold out in a day-and-a-half last time and I anticipate the same,” said Bouda, adding he will submit another bid in December for future NCAA tournament games in either 2011, 2012 or 2013.
Catlett said he is also talking to ACC Commissioner John Swofford about bringing the ACC baseball tournament back to town. After three years in Jacksonville and higher attendance each year, the tournament was set to move to Fenway Park in Boston in 2009. However, Boston has a scheduling conflict and the tournament currently doesn’t have a site for next year.
Bouda said when he found out Boston had a problem — the tournament will be in Fenway in 2010 — he went to the Suns and inquired about hosting the tournament at the Baseball Grounds again. However, the 2009 Southern League schedule is set and there’s a conflict with the Suns and a five-game series with the Montgomery Biscuits.
In addition to other events, Catlett said the real draw will be landing two big Bowl Championship Series teams for a non-conference game every year.
“There is no doubt Alabama will be back within five years,” said Catlett, adding despite losing to FSU Saturday, the Colorado people were happy with their experience. “The Colorado athletic director told me this was the best treatment they have ever had on a road trip.”
One game that won’t be played in Jacksonville is the annual Army and Navy game.
“We have to give that up,” said Catlett, explaining the GBA and the City would have to pay to transport students from both academies, provide a per diem and put them up in non-government housing. “By the way, they can’t miss any school. You would be looking at a net loss of $4 million to $5 million.”
Catlett said the USF Bulls may prove valuable to Jacksonville down the road.
“I believe the sleeping giant is South Florida,” he said. “They have the largest university system in the state.”
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