Games of Texas drops $7.5 million into B-CS economy

By Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator

The final numbers are in for the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation’s Summer Games of Texas. The Olympic-like festival featured 7,750 athletes from across the state competing in 12 events from July 30-Aug. 3.

Only 347 participants were from College Station, which means the rest – along with about 20,000 of their coaches, family members and friends – were visitors who dropped an estimated $7.5 million into the local economy. Local restaurants and hotels were filled to capacity.

Despite hot, humid conditions, the spirit and atmosphere of the games thrived, thanks to hundreds of volunteers and the support of our community. We heard scores of positive comments, with many participants saying this was the best Games of Texas ever.

Photos: 2015 TAAF Games of Texas

Overall, the competition was at an extremely high level, with 90 Games of Texas records set, including 75 in swimming and 15 in track and field. Here’s the breakdown of participants by sport and venue:

• Archery – 65 (Texas A&M Physical Education Activity Building).
• Boxing – 218 (College Station Hilton).
• Disc Golf – 18 (Texas A&M Research Park).
• Judo – 68 (Lincoln Recreation Center).
• Golf – 79 (Texas A&M Golf Course).
• Lifeguard Competition – 72 (Adamson Lagoon).
• Pickleball – 62 (Bryan High School).
• Skateboarding – 40 (G. Hysmith Skate Park).
• Soccer – 403 (Veterans Park & Athletic Complex).
• Swimming – 2,328 (Texas A&M Rec Center).
• Tennis – 151 (Texas A&M Mitchell Tennis Center).
• Track & Field – 4,246 (College Station High School).

Here are some other interesting tidbits reported by the Bryan and College Station Parks and Recreation Departments, which partnered with Texas A&M to manage the event:

• 64,000 bottles of water were used for participants and volunteers.
• 27,000 pounds of ice were used throughout the duration of the event.
• 2,928 meals were donated by local sponsors for participants and volunteers.
• 103 volunteers were provided by the Texas Army National Guard.
• 388 gold medals were awarded in swimming and track and field.
• 224 tennis matches were played over two days.
• The lowest 18-hole round of golf in the 10-11 age division was a 90 by 10-year-old Preston Defriend of Terrell. The lowest round overall was a 68 by 17-year-old Nicholas Narcisse of Arlington, who won his division with a 36-hole total of 141.
• 96 bouts were conducted in boxing, including six involving girls.
• Raul Marquez, a former IBP light middleweight champion, attended the final day of boxing. A 1992 Olympian, Marquez is a commentator for Showtime.
• Caleb Eagans, 2014 TAAF Male Athlete of the Year from Jewett, will soon join the Texas A&M track team and will major in kinesiology.

If you missed out on the fun, don’t fret. The Games of Texas will be in McAllen the next two years, but will return to Bryan-College Station in 2018-19.

On behalf of the Cities of Bryan and College Station, we extend a special thank you to our volunteers, TAAF liaisons, commissioners and Texas Army National Guard Warriors. The overwhelming success of the event is a direct reflection of your dedication. We deeply appreciate your gift of time, energy and enthusiastic support.

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