January 22, 2025 | Sports Destination Management
#247: January 22, 2025
Women's Wrestling

It's Official: Women's Wrestling Now an NCAA Championship Sport

If announcements were measured on the Richter Scale in terms of their impact on the youth sports industry, NCAA's recent approval of women's wrestling as a championship sport would probably hit around a 9.5. The news came during the organization's national convention, following separate votes by all three divisions. When is the first championship?

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Destination Spotlight

Tri-Cities, Washington: Discover the Unexpected

In the Tri-Cities, 300 sun-filled days offer visitors a year-round outdoor playground and an extended sports season. Centrally located with access to four major PNW metropolitan cities, Tri-Cities is a land of discovery with a thriving culinary scene, hundreds of world-class wineries, vast opportunities for outdoor activities and a proven track record.

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Tri-Cities, Washington: Discover the Unexpected
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Featured Destination
Play More in Marion: Your Southern Illinois Sports Oasis

Play More in Marion: Your Southern Illinois Sports Oasis

Marion has earned its reputation as an oasis of opportunity for sports enthusiasts, with great venues and after-hours fun.

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In other news and commentary...
New Year's Resolution: More Youth Sports Coaches

This year could be a landmark one for youth sports, and that includes sports tourism. The Million Coaches Challenge seeks to train one million new youth coaches in 2025, a monumental task that could spark major change in sports communities. It is funded by a Chicago-based philanthropic group and backed by 14 partner organizations. Learn more here.

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Sturgeon Comeback, Better Conditions Could Bolster Ice Fishing Tourism

With lake sturgeon fishing season approaching (it opens in early February in most states), many anglers will face harvest limitations. But at least they'll still be allowed to fish and ice conditions are looking good. Last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considered putting sturgeon on the endangered list. Pushback ensued. Learn more here.

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Get Your BID On: USA Artistic Swimming

Artistic swimming (occasionally known by its former name of synchronized swimming) is an Olympic sport; in fact, Team USA took the silver medal in Paris 2024. USA Artistic Swimming is seeking homes for a number of its events, including on the national level. The right destinations stand to benefit greatly from these events. Here's more information.

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Can You Add Even More Inclusivity to Sports? Yes, Says Morgan's

Remember Morgan's Sports, the first 100 percent accessible sports park? Its San Antonio-based campus also includes a theme park, a camp, water park, fishing lake and a multi-use center with a salon. And, said Morgan's rep, they are just getting started. The groundbreaking entity expects to debut a hotel, as well as other features, this spring.

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At High School and College Levels, Clay Target Leagues Exploding in Popularity

While it's nowhere near the participation numbers for high school and college basketball, football or other high profile team sports, the popularity of clay target shooting among high and college school students shows no signs of slowing down.A record 15,823 student-athletes participated in USA Clay Target League (USACTL) programs this fall.

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The Ultimate Outdoor Winter Team Event: Pond Hockey Championships

Soon, two organizations will host national pond hockey championships. First, the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships (Slogan: "Hockey. The Way Nature Intended") will be held on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. Next, the USA Hockey Pond Hockey National Championships will run on Dollar Lake in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Sounds like the ultimate winter team sport.

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Inside Events
Inside Events: Castle-Con

Inside Events: Castle-Con

Board gaming is a rising trend, particularly during the winter months. Castle Con, a tabletop gaming convention, will be held January 24-26 in Downtown Rochester, Minnesota at the Historic Chateau Theatre. The event offers a mix of board games, from classics to role-playing, for all ages and skill levels. Here's more from the visionary behind the event.

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Instagram Photo of the Week

Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Bureau reports that registration for the Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run in April, a fundraiser to elevate the visitor experience, is open | Instagram | X | Facebook | YouTube

Send us your photos! Send them directly to us or use #sportsdestinations in your posts. Select photos will be presented on sportsdestinations.com, SDM Blitz and in the latest issues of Sports Destination Management magazine. Use #sportsdestinations via X or Instagram

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Read the latest issue of Sports Destination Management

January/February 2025 cover image

January/February 2025

And just like that, 2024 winds up and 2025 begins. And wow, what a year this is shaping up to be. In fact, this just might be one of the hottest years for international sports in the USA, with the Winter X Games this month in Aspen, Colorado, the World Police and Fire Games this summer in Birmingham, Alabama and of course, a whole lot more, all designed to draw eyeballs to destinations. Whether you're new to this industry (and if you are, welcome!) or whether you've been here for years, this issue can help you make the most of the new year.

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Last word...

"Anybody with ability can play in the big leagues. But to be able to trick people year in and year out the way I did, I think that was a much greater feat."

~ Bob Uecker, often known as the Clown Prince of Baseball, who died last week at 90






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