Create Long-Term Partnerships With Host Cities

As a manager of championship sports for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Scott McClure oversees the administration of four of the NAIA’s 23 annual national championships at 18 different venues across the country. McClure suggests event planners consider these event services and elements, based upon the success of cities that have repeatedly hosted NAIA championships, when selecting a host city for future sports events. 

Connect with the community. Since 2000, the College of the Ozarks, near Branson, Mo., has hosted the NAIA Men’s Division II National Basketball Championship. The local organizing committee creates halftime shows featuring professional entertainers from the Branson theaters and local youth gymnastics and basketball teams, and develops a fan and volunteer base by bringing in classes from local elementary schools. Also, the local “honorary coach” program for the championship has been so successful that it has become a model of excellence and creativity for other NAIA national championships. 

Create traditions and a “wow” factor. The NAIA Baseball National Championship has become a Memorial Day holiday tradition since the event returned to Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho, in 2000. The game-day festivities include hot dogs, apple pie a la mode and soft drinks at bargain prices, and signed event prints by local artist Dave Hechtner. The event continues throughout the week with “ball day” on Wednesday and “bat day” on Thursday. This year, host Lewis-Clark State College raised the “wow” factor by arranging a U.S. Naval jet flyover during the opening ceremonies. 

Upgrade local facilities and services. The NAIA Softball National Championship has been held at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur, Ala., since 2000, and this year the complex featured a new LCD screen. The College of the Ozarks, where the NAIA Men’s Division II National Basketball Championship is held, installed new video screens in the concession and concourse areas. Also, Harris Field, which had a new press box in time for this year’s NAIA Baseball National Championship, is planning a state-of-the-art lighting system by next year’s baseball championship.