Page 36 - Columbus NCG 2020

Seldom is there a weekend where a sporting
organization isn’t hosting a tournament,
competition, or match somewhere in the
area, thanks to the Columbus Sports Council.
The non-profit organization’s main mission is
to promote tourism through sporting events,
creating a positive economic impact on the
Greater Columbus region. With more than
$16 million generated from sports-related
tourism in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, the Council’s
results put Columbus in the big leagues.

“The Columbus Sports Council is unique
in its capability to attract visitors to the
area through sports,” says Merri Sherman, Besides accommodating Team USA
whenever possible, the South Commons
the organization’s executive director.
Complex also serves as the site for
“The other part of that is exposing
visitors to everything Columbus has to the GHSA Fast Pitch Softball State
Championships, NFCA Leadoff Classic,
offer – whether it’s an adult participant
NCSA World Series, BSC World Series,
or a youth competitor and their family. and several other high-level tournaments
From higher education to our vibrant
throughout the year.
community, or even the events they’re
Columbus attending, they see Columbus as great “The reason that the complex is so
Sports place to work, live, play, and go to school.” important is that everyone can use the
fields,” Sherman said. “Since our local teams
Council The area’s most lucrative venue is the use it on Monday through Thursday and
South Commons Softball Complex, which
there are softball tournaments on weekends
Boosts pulled in nearly $4.8 million in tourism 10 months out of the year, we have the
revenue for Columbus in FY19. Originally
flexibility to accommodate everyone.”
Economy constructed to host women’s fastpitch Beyond the diamond, Columbus Sports
softball for Atlanta’s 1996 Olympic Games,
through the eight-field complex was recently Council attracts a bevy of other sporting
events to the area throughout the year,
Sports updated in advance of the USA Softball including Georgia’s high school cheerleading
International Cup held in July 2019 and
championships at the Columbus Civic Center,
Tourism broadcast on ESPN. USTA events at Cooper Creek Tennis Center,

Renovations included upgrades to field college football classic rivalries between
by Andrew Smith lighting, restrooms, and the installation HBCUs at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium,
of fiber optic cables to enhance Wi-Fi for and soccer tournaments at Woodruff Farm
Soccer Complex.
spectators and allow for the streaming or
t doesn’t take more than a few weeks of being broadcasting of games on all eight fields, As area facilities continue to improve and
in town to realize Columbus is a hotbed for not just the 2,500-seat main stadium. expand, residents can count on this sector
I sports. While the local professional teams of tourism to grow and provide a boost to
In preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games
certainly draw their fair share of spectators, it’s the local economy for years to come.
in Tokyo, USA Softball’s Stand Beside Her
Columbus’ ability to host state, regional, national, Tour brought the national team back to For more information on the
and international sporting events that plays a South Commons, which was named ”2019 Columbus Sports Council, please visit
major role in driving the visitor economy. Complex of the Year” by USA Softball. ColumbusGASports.com.

32 Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce | www.columbusgachamber.com | 706-327-1566