Category: News

News Release – August 31, 2023

Contacts:

• Lance Kettering, Springfield Sports Commission, 417-881-5300
• Tony Gragnani, Missouri Esports Federation, 573-355-1487
• Susan Wade, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau; 417-881-5300, ext. 101; 800-678-8767, ext.101; 417-830-0645 (cell); swade@springfieldmo.org

Springfield to Host Missouri Esports Federation Fall Brawl Championship

Springfield, Missouri – The Springfield Sports Commission and Springfield Esports Coalition announced a successful bid to host the Missouri Esports Federation Fall Brawl Championship. The event takes place Dec. 1-2 at The Riff, a state-of-the-art venue at Classic’s Yard in Springfield.

The event is a result of establishing the Springfield Esports Coalition in December 2022. The coalition, created by the Springfield Sports Commission, brings together people who can develop, advocate, and enrich the esports culture and grow local tourism through gaming events.

The coalition consists of a committee of the Springfield Sports Commission with representation from its board of directors and the support of Contender Esports and the region’s gaming community. The Springfield Esports Coalition is member-based and open to the gaming community.

Lance Kettering, Executive Director of the Springfield Sports Commission, emphasized the significance of the achievement.

“Our vision for the Springfield Esports Coalition is to tap into the thriving esports market,” Kettering said. “Securing the opportunity to host this event demonstrates the recognition of our enthusiasm and commitment. We’re excited about this collaboration with MOSEF and look forward to a future filled with more esports opportunities for our community.”

Mark Hecquet, President/CEO of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, applauded the commission and Springfield Esports Coalition for making significant headway in harnessing the emerging sport of gaming.

“The dedication of the people involved in the Springfield Sports Commission and Springfield Esports Coalition is commendable,” Hecquet said. “With continued success in hosting esports events, Springfield can become a national hub for gaming tourism.”

The MOSEF Fall Brawl Championship, which will generate $45,000 in economic impact on the local economy, is a hallmark event in its fourth year, attracting top talent from across the state. The two-day extravaganza will showcase competition in two esports titles: Rocket League and Overwatch 2.

Rocket League, a dynamic fusion of soccer and vehicular mayhem, features 12 teams competing for glory. The division will be split into two categories: the Large School Division comprising eight schools and the Small School Division with four schools. Meanwhile, the Overwatch 2 tournament features eight schools battling it out in the Overwatch MO Esports Community Season.

All the action will unfold at The Riff, a venue with a stage equipped to accommodate ten competitors, complete with a captivating video screen overhead. This cutting-edge facility, known for its concert-grade sound and lighting system, is poised to provide an immersive experience for competitors and spectators. The venue has a dedicated broadcasting area, ensuring that fans across the esports community can be part of the excitement.

Tony Gragnani, President of MOSEF, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are incredibly excited to bring our fall finals to Springfield. The Springfield Sports Commission is at the forefront of supporting and hosting scholastic esports. Witnessing Missouri’s students compete at the highest level on the grand stage in Springfield is a moment we eagerly anticipate.”

The collaborative efforts of Caleb, Cameron, and Mark Schwien, representing Classic’s Yard, are an integral part of this groundbreaking partnership. They shared their excitement about weaving together the vibrant atmosphere of Classic Rock Coffee, the impressive stage and production capabilities of The Riff, and the social sport and game center at Classic’s Yard. This union aims to create an unparalleled two-day gaming extravaganza, fostering camaraderie and celebrating the skill, teamwork, and innovation within the esports realm.

Classic’s Yard, 1900 W. Sunset St., is a haven for indoor social sport and game enthusiasts. Boasting a range of activities, including pickleball, fowling, Connect 4 basketball, golf simulator, table tennis, and more, Classic’s Yard provides a comprehensive entertainment experience. Its full-service kitchen and coffee shop offer hand-crafted delights, rounding out the complete entertainment package.

About the Springfield Esports Coalition

Formed in 2022 by the Springfield Sports Commission, the mission of the Springfield Esports Coalition is to use gaming for good by developing, advocating, and enriching the esports culture in the Greene County area. The coalition aims to drive awareness and engagement by harnessing the growing power and influence of esports. Producing events locally and regionally with an emphasis on promoting them nationally will help attract economic value for investing in more projects, such as scholarship programs at local high schools, statewide events, and university competitions in the Midwest.

About the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Greene, Christian, and Polk counties in southwest Missouri. Based in Springfield, the largest metro area in the region, the CVB focuses on boosting the local economy by creating marketing initiatives that grow tourism and entice planners to choose Springfield for group business, including conventions, meetings, and sporting events.

About the Missouri Esports Federation

MOSEF, a non-profit organization representing over 180 associated high schools and middle schools across Missouri, is dedicated to advancing esports awareness and competition throughout the state. By organizing and promoting esports competitions and related events, MOSEF continues to drive the growth of the esports community.
Follow the CVB and read our blog!

News Release – August 25, 2023

Contacts:

• Lance Kettering, Springfield Sports Commission, 417-881-5300
• Steve Stone, USA Pickleball, 515-577-3190 (call or text)
• Susan Wade, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau; 417-881-5300, ext. 101; 800-678-8767, ext.101; 417-830-0645 (cell); swade@springfieldmo.org

Springfield Welcomes USA Pickleball Officials This Weekend

Springfield, Missouri – Springfield is becoming the epicenter of pickleball with 50 top officials in the city this weekend for a dynamic retreat.

Representatives from the North Sector region of USA Pickleball will be here Aug. 25-27 for the gathering that encompasses training sessions, seminars, meetings, and on-court demonstrations.

The North Sector Ambassador Retreat follows the successful USA Pickleball Middle States Regional at the Cooper Tennis Complex June 1-4. The event attracted 425 competitors, showcasing the city’s adeptness at hosting high-caliber athletic gatherings. The 2024 USA Pickleball Middle States Regional is May 30-June 20, 2024, at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

Lance Kettering, Executive Director of the Springfield Sports Commission, expressed excitement about hosting the event and the caliber of pickleball officials attending.

“We are looking forward to hosting USA Pickleball for the North Sector Ambassador Retreat,” Kettering said. “It places Springfield center stage with USA Pickleball, and we look forward to hosting more pickleball events in our community in the future.”

Mark Hecquet, President/CEO of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the city’s pride in hosting the distinguished event and the opportunities it presents.

“Hosting a retreat that includes officials with USA Pickleball allows us to showcase Springfield’s exceptional sports facilities,” Hecquet said. “The Cooper Tennis Complex is among the nation’s finest, and we’re excited so many people who organize pickleball events will see it first hand.”

Steve Stone, representing USA Pickleball, conveyed eagerness about the upcoming gathering and extended gratitude to Springfield and the Sports Commission for their hospitality during the USA Pickleball Middle States Diamond Regional Championships.

“USA Pickleball is excited about pickleball, to say the least, and extremely excited that Springfield, Missouri, is hosting and welcoming our 2023 North Sector Ambassador Symposium/Retreat,” Stone said.

Pickleball has surged in popularity in recent years. The 2022 Sports & Fitness Industry Association reports the pickleball player base in the United States soared to 4.8 million in 2021, 14.8% growth from 2020 to 2021, building upon the substantial 21.3% growth observed the previous year. These figures underscore an average annual growth rate of 11.5% over the past five years.

About USA Pickleball

USA Pickleball is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the U.S. and provides players with official rules, tournaments, rankings and promotional materials. The association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation governed by a board of directors and professional staff who provide the guidance and infrastructure for the continued growth and development of the sport.

News Release – August 3, 2023

Contacts:

• Lance Kettering, Springfield Sports Commission, 417-881-5300
• Aaron Owen, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 417-833-2660
• Justin Travis, USA BMX, 480-961-1903, ext. 146
• Susan Wade, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau; 417-881-5300, ext. 101; 800-678-8767, ext.101; 417-830-0645 (cell); swade@springfieldmo.org

USA BMX Selects Springfield for National Event

Springfield, Missouri – Thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators will be in Springfield for a USA BMX National Championship Series event in 2024.

The Springfield Sports Commission, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, and other organizations worked together to bring the event to the city. The result of that collaboration is the new USA BMX Show Me State Nationals that will take place March 1-3 in the new Wilson Logistics Arena at the fairgrounds.

Over 4,600 people from all over the country are expected to attend, including 1,100 athletes. The championship will have an estimated economic impact of $1.27 million on the local economy.

“The USA BMX National Series is always looking for new cities and venues to partner with and the Wilson Logistics Arena is such a perfect venue for an event of this magnitude,” said Justin Travis, USA BMX director of business development. “We are excited to bring the racers and fans in March!”

The event is an example of the importance of developing new venues in Springfield that can host large groups. The new arena was a key factor in USA BMX’s selection of the city for the national event.

Lance Kettering, executive director of the Sports Commission said he’s pleased to have a facility that can host a large USA BMX event and he’s looking forward to booking additional events in the arena in the future.

“Construction of the 100,000-square-foot, $25 million arena played a major role in getting the national event booked in the city,” Kettering said. “Without Wilson Logistics Arena and the support of the team at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, this opportunity would not be possible. We look forward to the arena becoming a nationals location for USA BMX.”

Another important factor that made the nationals possible is hosting other BMX events in the past, which set the stage for the bigger competitions, Kettering said.

“We are grateful to the staff at the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Spokes BMX,” Kettering said. “They helped forge an exceptional relationship with USA BMX by hosting two Gold Cups and one Mid America Nationals outdoor event. Those opportunities helped put Springfield on the map for BMX and this national event.”

Mark Hecquet, President / CEO of the CVB, said seeing the results of our community collaboration and welcoming a national event is exciting for Springfield.

“We look forward to welcoming the USA BMX Show Me State Nationals to Springfield in 2024,” Hecquet said. ”USA BMX will bring thousands of people to Springfield, and the economic impact is tremendous. It helps support the city’s restaurants, hotels, retail establishments, and attractions.”

Aaron Owen, CEO of the fairgrounds, said hosting sizeable events like the BMX nationals is precisely why the fairgrounds built the arena, and he looks forward to seeing what the future brings.

“The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds is excited to welcome USA BMX in 2024 and beyond at Wilson Logistics Arena,” Owen said.

USA BMX

Established as the American Bicycle Association in 1977 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ABA is the nation’s largest cycling organization with more than 70,000 members with combined racing and freestyle events at more than 300 sanctioned BMX tracks across North America and Canada. ABA empowers and elevates the early stages of bicycle development by creating opportunities through facility development, programs, and national events. As a result, ABA has developed a structured blueprint. A cyclist can progress from humble beginnings on a balance bike to becoming a BMX Olympian by establishing these roots. Through STEAM, scholarships, freestyle amateur events, the national series, the Olympics and new facilities built across the United States, these four pillars under the USA BMX organization will impact young riders and families: USA BMX Foundation, USA BMX Freestyle, USA BMX Racing and ABA Ethos. More information is available at www.usabmx.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECEMBER 15, 2022

SPRINGFIELD, MO – The Springfield Sports Commission is excited to announce the formation of the Springfield Esports Coalition. The Springfield Esports Coalition’s mission is to use gaming for good by developing, advocating and enriching the esports culture in the Greene County area.

The coalition aims to drive awareness and engagement by harnessing the growing power and influence of esports. Producing events locally and regionally with an emphasis on promoting them nationally will help attract economic value that can be invested back into more projects, such as scholarship programs at local high schools, statewide events, and university competitions in the Midwest.

The coalition is made up of a committee of the Springfield Sports Commission with representation from its board of directors, along with the support of Contender Esports and the region’s gaming community. The Esports Coalition will be member-based and open to the gaming community. The coalition will meet regularly to facilitate the growth of the industry and sport.

Upcoming Plans & Membership

Event plans are already in the works for the coalition. They include the Missouri High School Esports Invitational in Spring 2023, The Corporate Cup, and the Missouri High School Esports Showcase in Fall 2023.

Coalition membership is available for $100 per year and includes access to monthly networking events and inclusion in cooperative efforts to support, enhance and market individual events and projects.

Registration for the coalition can be completed at www.springfieldmosports.org/membership.

For more information about the Esports Coalition, please visit www.springfieldmosports.org/springfield-esports-coalition/.

https://www.ky3.com/video/2023/01/13/bass-pro-tournament-champions-provides-winter-boost-springfields-hotel-restaurant-industry

https://sbj.net/stories/new-group-aims-to-draw-esports-awareness,82792

https://sbj.net/stories/springfield-sports-commission-forms-esports-coalition,82602

https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/2022/12/17/springfield-sports-commission-launches-springfield-esports-coalition/69715738007/

https://www.ky3.com/video/2023/01/13/bass-pro-tournament-champions-provides-winter-boost-springfields-hotel-restaurant-industry/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Springfield Rugby Club’s Grand Opening for our brand-new facility is this Saturday, August 20th. We’ll be holding a press conference at 9:00 AM and all the media and locals are invited! Soon after we will kick off our annual Springfield 10s Rugby Tournament with men’s and women’s teams joining us from all around the region.

Springfield Rugby is excited to announce the opening of our new rugby facility at 4035 E. Sawyer Road, (Farm Road 156) next to Brookline Cemetery in Brookline, Missouri. 

This brand new fenced-in facility boasts two massive rugby pitches, a practice field, ample parking, a large pavilion, water, and electricity. Springfield Rugby will have a unique situation as one of the very few sports teams that owns their own facility in the Springfield area.

Springfield Rugby is also excited to announce this new facility will be the home of the new Drury University Men’s and Women’s Rugby programs. The new coaches will be there to speak as well as representatives from our men’s and women’s teams.

The sport of rugby is growing at a rapid pace in Springfield because we offer a unique hard-hitting game and an atmosphere unlike any other. Rugby is a true melting pot of cultures and kinds from all over the world. Please help us spread the word about this inclusive sport and help us build a healthy community of ruggers from the 417 area.

For more info or questions Email me at danielrjester@gmail.com or call me at 417-895-0025.

Thanks,

Daniel Jester

SRFC