ABOVE VIDEO:Rusty Buchanan’s Space Coast Sports Promotions has pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into the Brevard County economy through sports programming, and the company continues to look for ways to add to the economic impact that sports have on the area.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Rusty Buchanan’s Space Coast Sports Promotions will host opening ceremonies on Sunday, July 13 at Viera High as more than 5,000 visitors are expected in Brevard County for the AAU National Basketball Championships.
Rusty Buchanan’s Space Coast Sports Promotions will host opening ceremonies on Sunday, July 13 at Viera High as more than 6,000 visitors are expected in Brevard County for the AAU National Basketball Championships. (AAU image)
The tournament will be playing in gymnasiums across Brevard, and pumping millions of dollars into the local economy.
Eastern Florida State College is one of eight sites in Brevard County hosting games in the 2014 AAU Boys’ Division I and Division II Fifth Grade National Basketball Championship tournament from Monday through Saturday, July 14-19.
In addition to Eastern Florida’s Melbourne Campus gym, games will be played at Viera High School, Bayside High and Heritage High, both in Palm Bay, Cocoa High, Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High, and Palm Bay High and Eau Gallie High, both in Melbourne.
Eastern Florida State College’s Melbourne Campus Gym is located at 3865 N. Wickham Road, Building 6.
Eastern Florida State College is one of eight sites in Brevard County hosting games in the 2014 AAU Boys’ Division I and Division II Fifth Grade National Basketball Championship tournament from Sunday through Saturday, July 14-20.
The 2013 tournament included more than 100 teams from 27 states including Florida, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Utah, New York, Nebraska, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky and Virginia.
The schedule of games at Eastern Florida calls for seven games a day Monday through Wednesday, nine games on Thursday and Friday and five games on Saturday.
Ticket prices are $45 for weekly adult passes, $35 for youth, ages 6 to 14. Daily tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for youths. Children under 5 are admitted free.
“We are very thankful to Brevard County Parks and Recreation, to the Brevard County School Board and to the cities who have helped to make this possible. Without their assistance, events like this would not happen,” said Buchanan, president of Space Coast Sports Promotions.
Key sponsors are Bright House Networks, Wet ‘n Wild water park, Universal Studios, Beef’ O’Brady’s, Savings Safari and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism is also a huge part of making these events happen.
“Our local hotel and event partners really help us make it happen,” said Connie Alden, who is a long-time director with Buchanan’s Space Coast Sports Promotions. “Our Brevard County schools and local colleges are great to work with in setting up the gyms for our visiting teams.”
SPACE COAST OFFICE OF TOURISM GETS ASSIST
Buchanan has extensive experience in youth sports, and as Vice President of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), he has been involved in many facets of the AAU for over 25 years.
“Without the TDC’s continued support, these events would not be coming to Brevard. Also, our super hotel partners do an incredible job to make the teams feel so at home while they are visiting the Space Coast,” said Buchanan.
“The AAU National Championship is a very prestigious event for our community to host. The visibility that the event offers the Space Coast nationally, as well as the financial impact it brings with it are both huge reasons why we are hosting the event again for the 21st straight year.
“Every time additional new facilities are brought online, we have an opportunity to bring more sports business into Brevard.”
CLICK HERE to see the live stream of the AAU National Championships.
“Our local hotel and event partners really help us make it happen,” said Connie Alden, who is a long-time director with Buchanan’s Space Coast Sports Promotions. “Our Brevard County schools and local colleges are great to work with in setting up the gyms for our visiting teams.”
“Without the TDC’s continued support, these events would not be coming to Brevard. Also, our super hotel partners do an incredible job to make the teams feel so at home while they are visiting the Space Coast,” said Buchanan.
