Today starts the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament, hosted on the Southeastern University campus in Hammond. Lions Athletics Director Jay Artigues says going from a four team tournament in 2021 to an eight team will bring not just a good time but a huge economic impact as well.
“Well they did one last year’s where McNeese hosted and it was over $850,000 in economic impact for that week and we are expecting similar here. It’s just great for our local restaurants and hotels are full. Its just a lot of excitement in Hammond America.”
Artigues says that the Southland Conference sees what Southeastern has been able to create and its not just hosting baseball, its creating an event where visiting teams and fans want to come out.
“There’s so much activity going on that people come back. It’s a heck on an atmosphere. Our stadium. You’re right on top of the action which I think makes it more conducive for the fans.”
Also starting today is the Conference USA Tournament, which Louisiana Tech is hosting. Director of Marketing and Communications for Experience Ruston, Tori Davis, says it’s great for local businesses as seven visiting teams along with families and fans are in the town for the tournament. The Bulldogs are also the top seed so that means a surge in local fans.
“We’ll have to wait and see kind of what the economic impact you know looks like once all is said and done, but we are anticipating a really great week and weekend for us here in Rustin.”
While the past has shown that when the temperature gets hotter going into the summer months, tourism can start to slow, but Davis said that hasn’t been the case.
That is because of other events going on in Ruston. From travel ball to festivals starting June 1st.
“2023 June and July actually ended up being our two busiest months of the year. A big reason behind that in June especially is the Louisiana Peach Festival.”
The Bulldogs open against MTSU today at 4pm.
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