By all accounts the inaugural Lone Star Conference Spring Championships Festival was a success.
The cities of Amarillo and Canyon partnered with West Texas A&M University to host four LSC Championships over a span of five days from May 2-6. The event brought 33 teams and more than 800 student-athletes to West Texas for intimate competition at Buffalo Sports Park.
“It was an honor for West Texas A&M to host this year’s event,” WT athletic director Michael McBroom said. “Our goal was to set the stage for a memorable championship experience for all of the participants and fans who attended, and I think we achieved that goal.”
The event went according to plan even though cold weather forced the opening ceremony to be moved indoors.
“Our goal was to let everyone “experience the real west Texas” with a barbecue dinner and a short show from the outdoor musical drama “Texas” in the spectacular Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon State Park,” McBroom explained. “Mother Nature decided not to cooperate with our outdoor plans, but the people from “Texas” were able to adapt their show to indoor space on campus. Judging from the response of the student-athletes during and after the show, I think they enjoyed it as well as some good Texas barbecue.”
The LSC’s outdoor track & field, softball and baseball championships were held within walking distance at Buffalo Sports Park, a 45-acre complex, which was completed in December of 2010, and boasts 19 acres (800,000 feet) of synthetic turf – the biggest collection of artificial playing surfaces in North America.
“We worked with the architects to design space that could accommodate thousands of people for a variety of events at the same time. Our ability to host three championships simultaneously within a couple of hundred yards creates a fantastic environment and experience for all involved, and the use of artificial turf negates almost all weather-related challenges. Our park is tailor-made to host events like the LSC Spring Championships Festival, and I think that was shown,” McBroom stated.
More than 6,000 fans witnessed Angelo State sweep the men’s and women’s outdoor track & field titles on Saturday, before Texas Woman’s was crowned at softball Sunday, and Texas A&M-Kingsville rounded out the festival by capturing the baseball tournament championship on Monday.
“I think the festival is a neat concept, and the student-athletes enjoyed it. I heard good things,” ASU track and field head coach James Reid said. “At one point during the meet I looked up and our softball team was there watching.”
According to Evelyn Ecker, the Executive Director of the Canyon Economic Development Corporation, restaurants in Canyon saw a 10 percent increase in sales for the weekend which was big for the area.
“Canyon and Amarillo have supported Lone Star Conference and NCAA Division II events for years because they know about the high quality of competition, the friendly rivalries that exist between members and the positive economic impact these events have for our region,” McBroom added. “The Spring Festival was no different, and I know that our civic leaders, business owners and university community were very pleased with the outcome and would welcome the opportunity to host again in the future.”