by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
It’s no secret Jacksonville is a college football hotbed. Gainesville and the University of Florida are 75 miles to the southwest and there’s a strong Florida State fan base in town as well. It should come as no surprise then that City officials recently put a lot of effort into luring the Senior Bowl from Mobile, Ala.
That effort didn’t work and the Senior Bowl recently announced a new deal to host the 2010 game.
However, Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Sports and Entertainment Director Mike Bouda says don’t count Jacksonville out.
“We have not given up on the Senior Bowl yet,” said Bouda at Thursday’s meeting of the Duval County Tourist Development Council.
Bouda explained the Senior Bowl board of directors put out a request for proposal for a new site. Bouda said it was made pretty obvious that Jacksonville would get the same for several years.
“The board did a complete about face,” he said, adding they did turn down financial assistance from Mobile and signed a contract that comes with a $20,000 buyout clause — two factors he says are indications the 2010 game may be the last in Mobile.
In other tourist/sports news, the TDC approved a grant for $25,000 for the City to host the first and second rounds of this season’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The TDC also approved a grant $17,500 for the Jacksonville Junior Volleyball Association to host three tournaments next year. Visit Jacksonville President and CEO John Reyes said sports tourism on all levels is good for the local economy.
“During unusual economic times, sports groups have done a really good job (of bringing people to town) as have medical groups,” said Reyes. “We at Visit Jacksonville definitely support this.”
Jacksonville hosted the first two rounds of the men’s tournament in 2006, the first year the Florida Gators won back-to-back national titles. Bouda said he’s expecting big crowds again in March.
“This year may be a little unique because the next closest first and second round games are in New York,” he said. “We anticipate drawing very interesting teams to Jacksonville this year. It should be a fabulous weekend. The games are on Friday and Sunday. Last time, they were on Thursday and Saturday.”
Mary Andrew, CEO of JJVA, said typically the bigger volleyball tournaments are held in Tampa and Orlando.
“We are trying to bring the volleyball business to Jacksonville,” she said. “Orlando and Tampa have done a good job and Atlanta has a huge tournament.”
Andrew said she expects about 1,000 players and their families, most of whom will stay in local hotels and eat at local restaurants. Part of Andrew’s application is a guarantee of 2,000 room nights but she’s projecting 2,500. Her organization also makes good use of any profits generated.
“Any money we make in the tournament series is put into our scholarship fund,” she said. “We try not to keep any Jacksonville ladies out (of the JJVA program) due to financial needs.”
The TDC also approved a grant for $20,000 to help the City of Jacksonville hold the annual Springing the Blues Music Festival, which is set for March 30-April 11. Jacksonville Beach Mayor Fland Sharp said the event is good for the whole area.
“It fills the hotels and restaurants. Basically, it’s a really good event for the entire Beach community,” said Sharp, who was joined by Festival Executive Director Sam Veal. “It spreads out and everyone is full that weekend.”
TDC member Sonny Bhikha pointed out the success of the Festival has put less of a financial burden on the TDC.
“It’s a fantastic event Sam and his team put together,” he said. “Sam continues to reduce his grant ask. Last year, he did return some of the money.”
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