SEC to stay in Hoover through 2011
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006
FAYETTEVILLE — Memphis made a run at the SEC baseball tournament, but Arkansas ’ hopes to cut its drive in half were dashed when Hoover, Ala., signed on to host the event through 2011.
Hoover Metropolitan Stadium’s agreement with the conference was up after this season. Auto Zone Park, home of the Class AAA Memphis Redbirds’ franchise, wooed the conference before the SEC extended a long-standing deal with Hoover in suburban Birmingham. Next week marks the city’s ninth consecutive year as host in the metropolitan area where the SEC is headquartered.
“We have seen the tournament grow tremendously,” SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said. “SEC baseball fans have had a major impact on the success of this event, and we look forward to providing them with a great environment and experience.”
Memphis reportedly was close to securing the tournament for Auto Zone Park, one of the premier facilities in minorleague baseball that is within walking distance of Beale Street and other attractions.
“Memphis was determined to get it,” Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos told The Birmingham News.
An ongoing renovation of the Class AA Birmingham Barons ’ Hoover Met Stadium, the area’s central location for many SEC schools and a continuing tradition of drawing large attendance all factored into the conference’s contract extension with the city of Hoover and the Alabama Sports Foundation.
The extension means Arkansas will continue to make a 10-hour-plus bus ride to the tournament whenever it makes into the field. Had the tournament moved to Memphis, the trip would have been about five hours for the Razorbacks.
“For our fans and for us to not have to travel as much, I’d rather play in Memphis,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “For us to be in Memphis, it’d be more like Alabama and Auburn and Mississippi State playing where they get to play [right now ].”
Arkansas already has secured a spot in this season’s doubleelimination SEC Tournament, which will be played May 24-28.
The Razorbacks will leave for Hoover on Monday after completing the regular season with a three-game home series against Auburn on Saturday.
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