CITY OF HOOVER WORKING TO EXTEND SEC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT STAY

Another SEC Baseball Tournament is in the books and the City of Hoover couldn't be more pleased with the results.  Attendance reached the fourth largest turnout in tournament history.

"It was a great year," says Hoover City Administrator Allan Rice." We did have some weather challenges early in the week. Nevertheless, we had a beautiful weekend and we were able to reach crowds of almost 140,000 people. So we thought it was a very successful tournament."

It's a sentiment SEC officials agree with. So much so, they are looking to extend their stay in the central Alabama city.

"The City of Hoover and the Southeastern conference have reached an agreement in principle to extend the existing contract for two additional years. And during that time we'll be in conversations about a much longer relationship," Rice explains.

As for what makes the Hoover experience so unique...

"Our brand is hospitality. We believe that we offer a hospitality experience and a sports tourism experience experiences unmatched anywhere. We're proud to have been the home to the SEC Tournament twenty-three years. And we're excited about the future with our great partner in the Southeastern conference," Rice says.

"It's a magnificent cultural and quality of life event for all of our citizens and visitors. And it has a substantial economic impact on our businesses during the week of the tournament every year.

NATIONAL PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO HOOVER

Next week, national pickleball play will return to the Hoover Met Complex.  The USA Pickleball National Indoor Championships will be played June 7-11, 2022 at the Finley Center.  Nearly 1,000 players are expected, all competing in age/skill brackets.

The National Indoor Championships will feature five days of events featuring singles, doubles and mixed doubles in skill/age brackets. Gold medalists from each division will receive a pre-registration spot for the 2022 USA Pickleball National Championships. The sport’s premier event will be played at Indian Wells, California on November 5 - 13, 2022.

“It is an honor for the City of Hoover to host the USA Pickleball National Indoor National Championship for the second year in a row,” said Hoover Mayor Frank V. Brocato.  “We continue to see this sport growing in our city.  Hosting the tournament will only add to that enthusiasm. I know the tournament participants will receive great hospitality from our city staff, residents, businesses, and community.  We look forward to another great event!”

For more information on the 2022 USA Pickleball National Indoor Championships, visit USAPickleball.org and follow @USAPickleball on social media.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Hot Rod Power Tour Returns to Hoover

HOT ROD Power Tour presented by eBay Motors and Driven by Continental Tire is coming to Hoover Met Complex, Wednesday, June 15.  Join us as we celebrate America's largest road trip with thousands of cars and trucks, live entertainment, sponsor and vendor midway, AutoCross, dyno competitions and more.  Register and get details at hotrodpowertour.us