#22 - Mike Moran's Commentary
Last Updated on Friday, 25 March 2011 12:49
What A Great City To Live In For Sports!
By: Mike Moran
March 25, 2011
With Colorado College and Air Force in the NCAA Division I ice hockey tourney tonight on national television and a chance to advance to the Frozen Four in St. Paul, you get a glimpse at just why 2011 will be one of the most significant years in the rich history of sports in Colorado Springs, and the profound, accompanying impact on our market in terms of the economy and quality of life.
A quick glance at the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation’s menu of the city’s sports events spotlights a slate unmatched in previous years and loaded with benefit related to economic impact, diversity of offerings for almost every resident of the area, and high-profile attention on Colorado Springs as a major sports destination.
Five-time Olympic Winter Games gold medalist Bonnie Blair is the featured speaker for the April 11 Sports Corp Salute To The Olympic Family luncheon at the Antlers Hilton downtown for some 450 guests. Still time to get a reservation by calling our Aubrey Johnson at 634-7333, ext. 1000 or e-mail at
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More than 125,000 spectators will bring an estimated $25 million to the local economy during the prestigious July 4-10 U.S. Women’s Open at The Broadmoor. NBC Sports and ESPN will televise some 15 hours of the golf spectacular to 50 countries and millions of viewers.
Organizers say that more than 100,000 cycling fans will be in town for the opening stage of the Quizno’s Pro Challenge on August 22, which should reward the area with a major financial windfall for hotels, motels and businesses.
Some 7,000 athletes from more than 120 cities and towns in Colorado are expected for the 2011 Rocky Mountain State Games, hosted by The Sports Corp over two weekends, July 22-24 and July 29-31. Reliable, credible history of the event point to a nice economic impact of some $7 million in spending from the athletes and families that come with them.
Want to compete? Sign up now and check out the 34 sports offered at www.coloradospringssports.org
The 89th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 26 will transport over 5,000 spectators to the mountain to view the nation’s second oldest motor
sports event, with an international field of drivers and racers and media from more than 15 countries. More than 30,000 fans will be downtown on June 24 for the Fan Fest to see the cars and motorcycles, meet the drivers and racers, and enjoy an evening of entertainment and excitement.
sports event, with an international field of drivers and racers and media from more than 15 countries. More than 30,000 fans will be downtown on June 24 for the Fan Fest to see the cars and motorcycles, meet the drivers and racers, and enjoy an evening of entertainment and excitement.
The USA Boxing National Championships return to the city June 20-25, with the popular Title Night with thirteen men’s and women’s bouts set for June 25 at the historic Colorado Springs City Auditorium. 300 of the nation’s top amateur boxers will be here in an effort to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Trials and a trip to London for the Games.
More than 200 athletes and 400 more family members will be here for the second Warrior Games, presented by the USOC, U.S. Paralympics and the Defense Department for wounded service personnel from May 16-21.
Colorado Springs stands alone among American cities in being able to trot out a lineup of events like these, and scores of others that present residents and business with this bounty. Nobody else, not Denver, not Indianapolis, not Omaha, not any other city can boast of such a rich asset.
The USOC, under the steady hand of CEO Scott Blackmun, is stepping up to the plate to thank its hometown of 33 years for its support with a lineup of major events that will bring attention, prestige, media and economic reward.
The USOC and its affiliated national governing bodies and businesses generated a $215 million economic impact on the Pikes Peak region last year alone, and employed more than 2,100 men and women. USOC staffers are appearing in increasing numbers on the boards of local charitable and business groups.
The USOC and its affiliated national governing bodies and businesses generated a $215 million economic impact on the Pikes Peak region last year alone, and employed more than 2,100 men and women. USOC staffers are appearing in increasing numbers on the boards of local charitable and business groups.
Coming to the city in 2011, thanks to Blackmun and his capable staff, are the Warrior Games, the USOC’s 2011 National Coaching Conference, the June 25 Olympic Day Celebration at the Olympic Complex, the 5th IOC International Athletes Forum, and the big one, the U.S. Olympic Assembly, September 22-24 at the Antlers Hilton for more than 500 VIP guests.
More than 100,000 will visit the Olympic Complex itself this year to see for themselves where Olympic and Paralympic dreams begin for American athletes.
All told, some 9,000 men and women work in the city’s thriving sports industry for 90 companies, 50 of which are associated with the USOC in some way.
Sky Sox baseball will lure more than 300,000 fans to Security Service Field this summer, and thousands more will be drawn to the 71st Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Air Force football, basketball and ice hockey, Colorado College ice hockey, UCCS Mountain Lion and RMAC sports, and the 12th annual Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremonies at the World Arena in October.
The sports industry in our city is vital to the city’s ultimate branding effort, and a huge driver in its reputation and national image.
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Mike Moran was the chief spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee for a quarter century, through thirteen Games from Lake Placid to Salt Lake City. He was the Sports Information Director at the University of Colorado for a decade before joining the USOC in 1978 as it left New York City for Colorado Springs. He was the Senior Communications Counselor for NYC2012, New York City’s Olympic bid group from 2003-2005 and is now a media consultant.