Tri-Lakes Area residents who have become accustomed to spending mid-March in Keeter Gymnasium at College of the Ozarks can ask for time off from work and clear their calendars for another two years.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced last week that C of O will remain the host site for the NAIA D-II Men’s Basketball National Championship Tournament through 2009, and local officials are ecstatic to hear that the event — labeled by many as the official start to the tourist season — will be sticking around a little longer.
“We are very glad to hear that the NAIA tournament will be returning to College of the Ozarks,” said Branson Economic Development Director Mike Rankin. “The college has over the years showed that it can hold a successful event and the Branson market joins in reaping the benefits of that. Our economy gets a great shot in the arm from it being here.”
Officials say that by the college hosting the tournament, Branson’s economy receives a boost during March, which is traditionally one of the slowest times of the year. In the past six years, the March sales tax revenue for Branson has increased by an average of 39 percent.
Hollister’s Assistant City Administrator Vonnie Mathiesen said that Branson’s neighboring city also benefits from the tournament. “That event is always good for our retailers,” Mathiesen said. “We are always excited for any event that brings more people to the Tri-Lakes Area, because while they’re here they eat, they shop and they buy fuel and that’s always a good economic stimulus for us.”
NAIA officials say they are pleased with the Tri-Lakes Area and everything it offers tournament goers. NAIA Interim President & CEO Jim Carr said in a press release that the NAIA is “extremely happy to carry on the tradition of the Division II Men's Basketball National Championship in southern Missouri by extending our partnership with College of the Ozarks.”
C of O Athletics Director Al Waller along with tournament co-directors Bill Keeter and Candy Sullinger organize the tournament and the 700 volunteers that plan everything from sponsorships to Champions of Character events. During the month of March, more than 500 NAIA student-athletes and coaches and approximately 25,000 fans travel to Point Lookout for the 32-team, single-elimination tournament.
“Our campus, faculty, staff and students all get involved and look forward to this event every year,” Waller said. “For the area, this tournament has become the official kick-off of the tourist season and brings additional revenue to the community. Branson is one of the top vacation destinations in the U.S. and we keep adding attractions that the teams and fans will love, especially the addition of the new Branson Landing.”
C of O President Jerry Davis said the tournament has also helped bring national recognition to the area. “The NAIA tournament has really created a national awareness of this area,” Davis said. “It brings a lot of people from all across the country — people who might not otherwise ever come to Branson.”
Davis also said just as much credit is due to the community for the success of the tournament as is due to the college. “The college always appreciates the support of the community while the tournament is going on,” Davis said. “They help make it the success it has become.”
Information provided by the Branson Daily News