FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Coast Tennis Associations (CTA) of the Mississippi Gulf Coast partnered with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission (www.msgcsc.org) to secure the 2010 USTA Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship.

Little did they know this partnership would produce not only a $1.4 million dollar economic impact to the region but ‘Event of the Year’ honors from the USTA Mississippi Tennis Association.

The Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship returns to the Coast, with play starting June 9-12.

“In 2010, for the first time, the Coast played host to the Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship which is touted as the ‘State’s Largest Tennis Tournament.’ To have the distinction as Event of the Year shows the commitment from the community that the Coast can become a major sports destination if we use a sports marketing approach to our major events,” said Scott Ratcliff, Executive Director of the Sports Commission.

Lance St. Amant, Chairman of the Championship, along with Jackson County CTA and the Harrison County and Hancock County CTA provided the volunteer support and the local tennis community was well represented during the event.

“If you had told me, when we first started this venture, that the Coast would win the Mississippi Tennis Association’s Event of the Year, I would have thought no way,” St. Amant said. “This is the biggest tennis tournament in the State of Mississippi and for us to win this award as a first-year event shows what the Coast can accomplish with a concerted effort toward a common goal.”

A multitude of tennis facilities across the Gulf Coast were utilized for the event with Bayou Bluff in Gulfport, the Biloxi Sports Complex, Treasure Oak CC in Ocean Springs and Singing River Yacht Club in Pascagoula serving as host sites for the Championships.

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/05/27/3149321/usta-adult-tennis-championships.html?story_link=email_msg#ixzz1OljxCYmn

With the 2011 Mississippi League Tennis Championship in the books a new page has begun. With the Mississippi Gulf Coast playing host to 1,000 players from around the state for the second year in a row the local community has made quite the impression on the USTA staff and the tennis community within the State of Mississippi.

To continue the award winning efforts of last year, the local CTA’s, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission, local community leaders, sponsors and the 130+ volunteers set out in 2011 with the mindset of how to improve on winning the 2010 Mississippi Tennis Association “Event of the Year.” From the statements of the players and the USTA staff members the Coast has the right formula for success.

Lindsey Sartain, Director of the Adult Tennis for the MTA said, “everyone has asked if this event will be on the Coast next year.” Sartain went on to say, “whereas each of our state wide events are quality events, the model the Mississippi Gulf Coast has implemented exceeded our expectations in 2010 and 2011.”

Lance St. Amant, Chairman of the 2010 & 2011 Tennis Championships agreed, “with the major facilities who committed to allowing this competition to be played at their clubs and the public facilities who help us combine the 63 courts necessary to host this event shows the Coast is ready to position our area as a force in the tennis industry for hosting major events.”

Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship, which was held on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the first time, was a two year commitment and the Coast organizers will have to bid to again host the 2012 Adult Tennis Championship. Scott Ratcliff, Executive Director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission relayed that the 2012 bid will come from the Sports Commission in conjunction with the tennis facilities, the CTA’s, the Cities of Gulfport, Biloxi and Ocean Springs. “We feel this will give us the best opportunity for us to make sure our bid will be accepted for the 2012 event.” 

“Everyone on the Gulf Coast played a part in making these players feel special during their stay here and we should all be proud of the effort of so many to come together from the three coastal counties who made this event such a success and hopefully established it as a staple event for the Coast,” said Ratcliff.

With the success of this two year run the Gulf Coast seems poised to bring other tennis events to the region. The USTA Sectional bid is due in August and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission and the local tennis community has their eyes set on bringing this event to the Coast for 2013 & 2014.

Ratcliff stated, “if the facilities, local business community, the CTA’s and Tourism leaders agree to bid on this event I feel confident we have the components in place to bring this 7 million dollar economic impact event to the Coast.”

By DOUG BARBER – dmbarber@sunherald.com 

GULFPORT — Tennis team captains Betsy Taylor and Jennifer Mavar are looking forward to hitting the courts this week in the four-day USTA League Tennis Mississippi Adult Championships. 

Taylor, who captains a 3.0 women’s team from Bayou Bluff Tennis Club, has an experience edge over Mavar. Mavar is the captain of a 2.5 women’s team from Bayou Bluff, and she and many of her teammates are experiencing their first state team championship event. Taylor’s team made the state tournament in 2010 after going undefeated in the regular season. 

The USTA League Tennis Mississippi Adult Championships begin Thursday at eight different venues on the Coast — Treasure Oak CC in Ocean Springs, Bayou Bluff TC in Gulfport, the Biloxi Tennis Center, Singing River Yacht Club in Pascagoula, Halstead Tennis Center in Ocean Springs, the St. Martin Tennis Courts, I.G. Levy Tennis Center in Pascagoula, and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. 

This is the second straight year that the Coast has played host to this statewide event. 

The Taylor and Mavar teams are two of a large number of Coast teams in hunt for a state championship. 

“This is our second year to go as a team and the third for some of my team members,’’ Taylor said. “We did well last year. We were second in our flight but didn’t make the finals. 

“I think it is good that we don’t have to travel. I also think it is a little bit of a disadvantage because you don’t get to stay together as a team. I’ve been to Jackson before. When we stayed together at the motel, we talked about the matches at night play, too. I don’t think there is a lot of pressure. Everyone has been helpful at the club. The higher levels have been good in showing me what to do. It has been a wonderful experience. 

“We are definitely strategizing. When we started off the season, we asked, ’Are we in it to win it, or just have fun?’ We tried to do both. But we wanted to win. We’ve got the fever. Now we are strategizing, looking at other teams we will play at state.” 

Both women play doubles on their teams. And as captains, they have to set up the lineup. Taylor has 16 players and Mavar has eight. 

Taylor’s team opens play at Treasure Oak on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Mavar’s team also plays at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Bowman’s Tennis Center in Biloxi. 

Teams compete in their respective pools, trying to qualify for Sunday’s finals. 

Without a doubt, making and winning the tournament is the goal of the teams. 

“These are the best of the best,’’ Taylor said. “We were fortunate to come in second in our division and make it here. It will be really hot, really hard and there are some really good teams. We hope to do our best and hopefully come out on top.” 

Mavar echoed those sentiments. 

“We’re walking into it with eyes wide-open,’’ She said. “We don’t know what to expect. But we hope to win,” 

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/06/07/3177203/championships-ready-to-hold-serve.html?story_link=email_msg#ixzz1OllrNCLA 

Bernard Blackwell Classic is back

   JAMES JONES, jkjones@sunherald.com

 Nine Coast players were picked for the contest, which will played Dec. 18 at Greyhound Stadium in Ocean Springs.

 The North and South rosters were announced Thursday morning by the Mississippi Association of Coaches.

 Gulfport had a Coast-leading three players picked: defensive linemen Warren Conway and Avery Sullivan, and linebacker David Bertucci.

 Quarterback Colin Bray and fullback Travis Taylor made the South squad for Vancleave.

 Picayune also had two players selected: running backs Jamal Hall and Joel Davis. Hall has a Coast-leading 1,598 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns.

 St. Stanislaus and Ocean Springs each had one player chosen. Defensive end Taylor Thompson made the team for the Rockachaws. Linebacker Dawson Wells represents the Greyhounds.

 Teddy Dyess, who will coach the South squad, received help from coaches Mike Justice of Gulfport and Ocean Springs’ Todd Mangum over choosing the local players.

 “Justice is my mentor; we worked together at Madison Central,” Dyess said. “Mangum is one of my best friends. When it comes to them recommending players, I trust their judgment. The more input helps me.”

 Dyess, who coaches at Philadelphia, is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the All-Star contest.

 “It’s an honor to coach in this game,” Dyess said. “There’s been many great coaches to coach in this game.”

 Several pregame events are planned, including a chili cookoff.

“The Coast has taken this game to a new level,” MAC executive director Johnny Mims said. “They’re excited about the game. We’re excited about having the game down there.”

The South leads the series 28-25-4.

The South won 24-17 last year in Gulfport. Former St. Stanislaus quarterback Dylan Favre earned MVP honors.

MS Gulf Coast garnishes top honors from the Mississippi Tennis Association for the Adult Tennis Championships held on the Gulf Coast in June 2010. Organizers say winning this award in the first year is impressive by any standards.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission (www.msgcsc.org) announced today that the Gulf Coast is continuing it’s quest to become recognized as one of the top sports destination with the distinction of being named the (MTA) Mississippi Tennis Association’s ‘Event of the Year.” The announcement was made today at the Harrison County Tourism Commission’s conference room.

John Dane III, Chairman of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission relayed the news of the announcement and gave everyone involved with the event accolades in this accomplishment. “When we started the Sports Commission in 2008 these are the type of events that we felt were important to reaching our initiatives. As we continue bringing events such as this to the Coast we will see increased economic impact, economic development but also in the quality of life.”

John Dane III recognized the sponsor’s, volunteers, the CTA’s of the Gulf Coast, the tennis facilities and their professionals who helped make the event such a success. “Everyone who played a part in making this event such a success should be proud of the accomplishment. This was a Coastwide effort and without people such as Lance St. Amant, the Ocean Springs Chamber along with all of the other volunteers who devoted their time and effort, this award would not have been possible. This is directly attributable to them.”

Louis Peters, President of the Mississippi Tennis Association stated, “With this event being hosted on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the first time, the MTA felt this was a great accomplishment in pulling together what the MTA considered to be the best event presentation in the State of Mississippi this year.” “This could not have been put together and professionally run with out the help of the Jackson County CTA, the Harrison/Hancock CTA, the volunteers and the volunteer Chairman, Lance St. Amant. He was tremendous in his commitment to having the event become a player favorite in its first year.”

Mr. Peters also pointed out that the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission was the component that catapulted the event to the stature and deserved accolades as well. “Scott Ratcliff brought in the sports marketing and branding for the event to reach its full potential. With his help and the Sports Commission’s help we were able to bring in sponsorships in excess of $38,000 for this event.” “I commend him and the Sports Commission for their business approach in assisting this event to reach a level of which the Gulf Coast can be proud.”

Louis Peters also pointed out that not only was the 2010 Adult Tennis Championship recognized as MTA’s “Event of the Year” but it is being considered as the (USTA) United States Tennis Association- Southern Region “Event of the Year” as well. “The USTA Southern, made up of nine states within its region, is also considering this event as their event of the year.” Should they vote the 2010 Adult Tennis Championship as their “Event of the Year’ this would be a great honor for the Gulf Coast and everyone involved,” Peters said.  

Scott Ratcliff added, “This shows what a concerted effort can accomplish for major events on the Gulf Coast. An economic study provided in partnership with the USM Sports Marketing Department showed $1.4 million dollars added to the local economy from the four day event.”

Ratcliff went on to say, “Being considered as the top event within a nine state region for the USTA would, in most regards, be unattainable for a first year event but the Sports Commission has been intricate in branding numerous sporting events on the Gulf Coast since it’s inception in 2008.” “I believe we are just starting to scratch the surface on what we can accomplish and if we were to win the USTA Southern “Event of the Year” will only continue our efforts to market the Coast to this multi-billion dollar industry.”

The cheering is over at Fallen Oak. Coast golf fans are watching this week to see which PGA golfers will plunk their ball into the water at No. 17 at the TPC. And Champions Tour golfers are preparing for their next event — the Regions Charity Classic in Birmingham in a week.

And it is a time of assessment and review for officials of the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, which was won by David Eger on Sunday.

“We exceeded expectations,’’ MGRC Tournament Director Steve Neiman said. “I’m still amazed at the spirit of the people here. People are still telling me how much fun they had. We created an event where they wanted to be here.’’

Nieman

The original goal was to get 60,000 to 65,000 people out to the tournament — two days for the pro-am and three for the championship event. Weather played a role in preventing that goal from being reached, according to Neiman. Sunday’s split rounds were played under the threat of rain, which hit a half hour after Eger finished on No. 18.

“We had approximately 50,000 for the week,’’ Neiman said. “Our two best weather days were Wednesday and Thursday during the pro-ams. The weather was OK Friday and Saturday but were lucky to get the round in on Sunday. Yet people still came out on Sunday.’’

There are several things that can be improved upon, according to Neiman.

“We may have a little different sales strategy next year,’’ he said. “We need to get more inventory out there. We sold out of everything we had.

“We’re thinking about adding a third pro-am, at a different locale.

“We may double-deck our sky boxes. We would like to provide more area for our corporate sponsors on No. 18 and No. 9.

“With our sponsors, we will be able to talk to the people before their budgets are due. We had our press conference on Nov. 2 (2009) and then had to go out and raise the money locally.’’

Tournament chairman Anthony Topazi said on Sunday that he thought the tournament would increase its number of sponsors after the success in 2010.

Neiman also said that the 17 1/2 hours of coverage got out the message nationally that South Mississippi has bounced back after Katrina. Additionally, surveys at the tournament indicated that golf fans came not only from Mississippi, but from the Panhandle of Florida, Alabama and Louisiana.

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2010/05/06/2161862/neiman-says-gulf-resort-classic.html#ixzz0nF8Ll8P6

The 2009 Bernard Blackwell All Star Classic was contested on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the first time since it’s inception over 60 years ago. On December 19th the South squad, led by Dillian Farve, opened a big enough lead during the first three quarters to hold off a late rally by the North squad. With the North team driving toward a touchdown that would have given the North team a chance to tie or win the game quarterback, ???, threw an interception at the 10 yard line of the South with 1:10 left on the clock.

The play was indicative of how the game was played by 88 of the top All Star athletes from the State of Mississippi.  For the game Dillian Farve, nephew of Brett Farve, showed that he belonged in the elite field of players and ended the game with 242 passing yards and the MVP for the South squad. ?? was named the North squad MVP of the game totaling over ??? yards during the game.

Dillian Farve who up until the All Star game had only recived offers for scholarship from USM and Northeast Louisiana got a call soon after the game to suit up with the Bulldogs of Mississippi State and show his talents in the talent rich South Eastern Conference.

Dillion Farve

The event was brought to the Coast in partnership with the Mississippi Association of Coaches(MAC) and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission. Johnny Mims, Executive Director of the MAC, stated that the event reached a new level for the players and the plan is to host the event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the next two years. “When our Vice President of the MAC, Howard McNeill, brought up the idea of bringing this event from Jackson to the Coast we looked to see if it was a fit for what we looked to accomplish long term with the game.” “Howard said that the Mississippi Gulf Coast had started a Sports Commission and their organization might have the desire to get involved with the game.”

“The Sports Commission helped to bring the event to the Coast and brought an aspect to the game that had not been seen in the past. The game was televised statewide in 7 major markets on ABC or NBC affiliates across the state and in Memphis, TN.  Executive Director for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission Scott Ratcliff looked at bring exposure to the game, the players and the Gulf Coast by providing the television coverage. “We want to highlight the players that are looking to go to the next level and provide every opportunity for them to be recognized by the decision makers that can make that happen.” “Even thought their were plenty of scouts in town for the game we feel Dillion’s performance against a quality field of players and doing it on TV provided that platform to showcase his talents that ultimately got him to the next level.”

Joe Milner Stadium, Lindy Calahan Field in Gulfport, MS was the backdrop for this year’s event with Howard McNeill, Athletic Director for Gulfport High School being the host for the event.  With the help of numerous people dedicated to high school sports from the Gulfport, MS area, Howard McNeill, the Mississippi Association of Coaches and the Sports Commission brought a passion for providing the event the stature that is indicative of the person the game has been named after.  Benard Blackwell was the Executive Director of the MAC for 20+ years and carried these games very high on what he wanted to accomplish for the players from the State of Mississippi.

The 2010 game will be move to Ocean Springs, MS at the Greyhound Stadium, home to the Ocean Springs High School Greyhounds.  In 2011 Biloxi will play host to the game at Biloxi Indian Stadium home of the Biloxi Indians. It is planned to look at long range opportunities to continue this game on the Gulf  Coast for many years to come.

“We are already planning for 2010 and well beyond to have this event be a part of our yearly schedule of events,” Ratcliff said. ”If we see the commitment level continue and grow this event will get better and better as time goes on,” Johnny Mims went on to say.

Tournament opens on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 at the Biloxi Indian Stadium beginning at 2 PM each day.

Seven countries have confirmed participation in the 2009 tournament and competing countries include Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Republic of South Korea, and the United States. Originally, eight teams confirmed to play in the competition but Bulgaria has withdrawn from the tournament. The United States, as the hosting country, will play the opening game against defending champion, Germany, on Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 PM. A blind draw established play and teams will compete as follows:

On Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 the tournament will feature many family activities including children’s games and drawings for prizes that will take place throughout the day. Children, from 8 – 18 years of age, are encouraged to register each day of the tournament for their chance to receive a kick where they could win a $10,000 scholarship. Adults, 18 years and older, are encouraged to register each day too for a chance to receive a kick where they could win a Pontiac G8. Drawing for both kicks will take place during the Gold Medal Match on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 PM. Registered participants must be present to win. A Junior Clinic for children up to 18 years will take place at Academy Sports on Friday, June 12 from 10:00 AM to noon. Players from all participating countries will attend to assist children with soccer fundamentals and will be available for autographs too. All games and activities are free and open to the public.

The International Military Sports Council, known by its acronym “CISM”, is an international sports association composed of the armed forces of member nations accepted by the General Assembly. CISM is open to the armed forces of all nations. The aims of CISM are to develop friendly relations between the Armed Forces of member nations, promote physical education and sports activities, provide mutual technical assistance, support less privileged members in the name of friendship and solidarity, contribute towards the balanced and harmonious development of military personnel, and contribute to the international effort for universal peace.

This ideal is encapsulated in the CISM motto:

“FRIENDSHIP THROUGH SPORT”.

For more information on CISM, please visit their website: http://www.cism-milsport.org/eng/welcome.html

Event Sponsors include Keesler Air Force Base, Keesler Federal Credit Union, USO, Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission, and Keesler Services.

For more information concerning details of the event, please call Mr. Mooers, 228-377-0123, or e-mail brian.mooers@keesler.af.mil, and you can check the Keesler website at www.keesler.af.mil. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission can also provide information pertaining to the CISM Tournament at 228-276-1713.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission and the Coast Tennis Associations announced that the Gulf Coast will play host to the States largest tennis tournament.

The Coastal Tennis Associations (CTA) of the Mississippi Gulf Coast have partnered with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission (www.msgcsc.org) to secure the 2010 USTA Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship June 10-13, 2010.

“This is the first time this event has left Jackson, MS and it is the first chance for the Gulf Coast to highlight our commitment to major events such as the Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship,” stated Scott Ratcliff, Executive Director of the Sports Commission.

1,200 or more players are scheduled to participate in this three day event with an estimated 1.5 million dollar economic impact to the region. The USTA Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship was first approached by Lance St. Amant, Chairman of this year’s Championship, along with Jackson County CTA as well as Harrison County & Hancock County CTA. “It started as just an idea but the CTA’s of the Gulf Coast pulled together and decided that we would bid on this event,” Championship Chairman, Lance St. Amant said. “This is the biggest tennis tournament in the State of Mississippi and has become quite an undertaking to bring all of the components together but believe me it has been a concerted effort by the people of the Gulf Coast to make it happen.”

A multitude of tennis facilities across the Gulf Coast will be utilized for the event with Bayou Bluff in Gulfport, the Biloxi SportsPlex, Treasure Oaks in Ocean Springs and Singing River Yacht Club in Pascagoula serving as Host sites for the Championships.

With this event as an Officially Endorsed event of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission, marketing and sponsorship packages were produced to effectively bring this event to the public and private sector to make it a success. Over $25,000 has been raised to insure the quality of the event to the players but also to the sponsors of the event through advertising and marketing. The committee has set a goal of $40,000 for the event to reach its fullest potential. Call Lance St. Amant for sponsorship information at (228)218-9503.

Louis Peters, President of the Mississippi Tennis Association and long time resident of Ocean Springs assisted the tournament committee to bid on this event for the Coast. “I believed that we had everything that the USTA required for the Coast to host the event but it was the collective efforts of the facilities, the CTA’s and the Sports Commission that ultimately secured this event for 2010 & 2011,” Peters said. He went on to say, “With the passion we have seen from the people involved it will be hard for Jackson, MS to get it back.”

Lance St. Amant agreed with Peters, “If we can hold this event to level we have envisioned I can see this event as a yearly event and the Mississippi Gulf Coast as the home of this prestigious event for a long time. The goal is to put our self in position to bid on a Regional event that Mobile, Al hosted which had an $8 million dollar economic impact to their area just this year.

“Once again the Sports Commission looked at this event as a catalyst to bigger and better events for our area. Now with the right plan in place the Mississippi Gulf Coast tennis community has certainly put the Coast on the map as a viable tennis venue,” stated Ratcliff.

For more details, and to learn how to enter, contact the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission at 228-276-1713 or online at www.ustamississippi.org to get more information on the event.