By Gene Ballew, Athletics and Tourism Manager
Now that the Super Bowl buzz is wearing off, College Station welcomes 120 youth football teams to Veterans Park and Athletic Complex this weekend for the Texas Youth Football All Star Showcase.
The tournament includes 3,500 football and 250 cheer athletes from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Arizona. The influx of about 8,000 visitors for the event has filled local hotels to capacity.
Participants are selected from 21 regions, and the winners of each age division (7U/8U/9U/10U/11U/12U/13U) are invited to the National Youth Football All Star Showcase this summer in San Antonio.
Here’s the schedule:
- Friday: Check-In & Opening Ceremonies: 3-8 p.m.
- Saturday: Games: 8 a.m.-7:15 p.m.; Cheer Competition: 2:15-3:15 p.m.
- Sunday: Games: 8 a.m.-7:15 p.m.; Cheer Competition: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Monday: Championship Games: 1-3 p.m.
Heavy traffic and delays are expected in and around the complex. Organizers have imposed a $40 gate fee for entrance, and mask-wearing is mandatory for all athletes, coaches, and spectators unless they are on the field playing.
Local Impact
The economic impact is similar to the 2019 Games of Texas, but the showcase is being played at a single facility.
The Parks & Recreation Department has had exhaustive meetings with health officials and tournament organizers to ensure established safety guidelines and protocols are met or exceeded. The city is responsible for cleaning and maintaining our facilities, while tournament organizers will provide city-approved safety guidelines and protocols for participants and spectators.
We’ll continue to adapt to the evolving situation by adjusting operations. Our overriding mission is to safely attract customers to town while helping our residents and businesses recover from the pandemic.
If you encounter these visitors in our city, please thank them for being here and wish them an enjoyable stay!
About the Blogger
Gene Ballew has been with the Parks and Recreation Department for 14 years and is in his fourth year as the athletics and tourism manager. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management from Texas A&M in 2008.
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