Huntsville Times article - July 14, 2007
Huntsville will keep Sports Week - by JOHN FERRY
Event returning for at least next two years
Huntsville's handling of statewide high school sports events has had one constant - praise from Alabama High School Athletic Association officials .
First, it was for the state soccer tournament, held here since 2001. "It's been a tremendous success," retiring AHSAA executive director Dan Washburn said on Friday.
Then it was for the All-Stars Sports Week, which concluded its third annual week here Friday night. "Everything we've had this week has been fantastic," said Steve Savarese, who will succeed Washburn.
So, it shouldn't have been a surprise when Steve Bailey, director of the state high school coaches association, announced the location for the next two Sports Weeks.
"Mayor, if you will have us, we'll be back," Bailey said Friday morning.
That brought smiles to Mayor Loretta Spencer and several other city officials during the news conference at her City Hall office. Ralph Stone, executive director of the Huntsville Sports Commission, said last week that this year's Sports Week would have an economic impact of about $1 million.
Bailey said Montgomery was the only other city to bid for the event. But Huntsville had too much going.
"I don't know if it's so much we chose Huntsville as Huntsville chose us," Bailey said. "Huntsville has been there with open arms. There has been a warm reception and willingness to help."
Washburn added that Huntsville offers what is needed to make the event a success.
"There are tremendous facilities, the Von Braun Center and the venues for the games," he said. "The hospitality is unparalleled."
The only complaint that some coaches have raised about holding Sports Week in Huntsville is that it's a long trip for athletes from South Alabama.
Washburn said geography also gets mentioned when events are held near the Gulf Coast. "This is the right decision," he said of All-Stars Sports Week.
The week involves 350 student-athletes, plus hundreds of coaches who come to clinics in the various sports. The coaches also have a golf tournament, cookout, awards luncheon and rules clinics. They also can attend an all-sports equipment expo.
Bailey said the number of coaches attending the clinics is approaching the number that attended when All-Stars Sports week was held in Montgomery (1997-2004). A goal is for coaches' attendance to reach 2,000.
Bailey said he always gets feedback on Sports Week.
"I've had stories from the kids passed to me," Bailey said. "How excited they've been. Memories for them.
"Kids are No. 1 with me."
