General 12/6/2023 10:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

UCO Honored With Economic Impact Award For Championship Central

University, Visit Edmond, OSSAA Football State Championships Generate Over Seven Million In Local Impact

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma was honored Monday evening as a 2023 National Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism in an event in Downtown Edmond.

The university was honored by Sports Destination Management for its work with the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) and the high school football state championships held on campus at Chad Richison Stadium. UCO hosts seven games during a two-week period dubbed Championship Central.

Noted in a press release from Jennifer Thornton, Tourism Director at Visit Edmond, the OSSAA State Football Championships brought $7.12 million in economic impact according to the Edmond Economic Development Authority.

"The City of Edmond and UCO's Chad Richison Stadium provided the perfect setting for a single-destination celebration of Oklahoma high school football," Stan Wagnon, Athletic Director for the University of Central Oklahoma, said in the release.

During Championship Central, 14 teams come to Edmond to compete for the title of state champion. Not only are 14 teams competing inside Chad Richison Stadium, but 14 schools, their bands, cheerleaders, administrations, as well as 14 communities of fans and supporters, are also spending their time in Edmond during Championship Central.

Another Edmond sporting event, the State Title Belt Baseball & Softball Tournament, was also recognized for its economic impact. Mayor Darrell Davis recognized both groups at the annual Tourism Holiday Party at 1884, inside Edmond Railyard, Monday evening. All winners (43 nationally) were recognized in a special feature published in the November/December issue of Sports Destination Management.

For more information about this year's Championship Central, visit uco.edu.

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