Hickory Metro Sports Commission Selected to Host Great Smokies Basketball Shootout
Published on August 3, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - The Hickory Metro Sports Commission recently hosted the 2012 Great Smokies Basketball Shootout over Memorial Day Weekend. More than 170 amateur teams from seven states and 1,600 players participated in the 2012 event, which was held in Hickory for the second time. Asheville had hosted the event for the prior 16 years.
The Hickory Metro Sports Commission worked with area high schools including Hickory, Bunker Hill, Foard, Newton-Conover and East Burke. Middle schools, elementary schools and parks and recreation departments were also enlisted to secure the use of gyms at over 20 locations in Catawba County.
The Hickory Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) estimates economic impact from this past year's event to be in the neighborhood of $2.5 million dollars. Over 600 hotel room nights were occupied, the restaurants were visibly crowded and some area attractions saw welcomed visitors.
According to Joe Carrington, Program Director for the Basketball Club of Western NC who conducted the tournament, Hickory exceeded their expectations. "I received more thanks and compliments during the hour that I was in one of your restaurants about the Great Smokies Shootout than ever had at our previous location. We look forward to making this an annual event in Hickory."
"This event is great for the area and provides a significant economic impact," noted Mark Seaman, Chairman of the Hickory Metro Sports Commission and Crawdads General Manager. "The Sports Commission worked hard to bring this event here and we look forward to its return."
The Hickory Metro Sports Commission is a non-profit organization whose mission is to further the quality of life through the development, promotion, and recruitment of sporting events and activities to the Greater Hickory area. For more information about the Sports Commission visit www.hickorysports.com.
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