PORT HURON – St. Clair County Community College has been selected by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) as the host site for the NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship in March 2020, 2021 and 2022. The championship tournament will allow SC4 to expand its growing national reputation in collegiate sports, bring more entertainment activities to the Blue Water Area, and have a substantial impact on the local economy.
“We continue to look at new ways to help maximize student and community success,” said Dr. Deborah Snyder, SC4 president. “This win illustrates the significant benefits of strategic community investments, shared goals and values, and meaningful partnerships. We have greater impact when we work together.”
SC4 representatives, along with a team of local leaders, welcomed NJCAA officials to Port Huron in December for a site visit aimed at evaluating the SC4 Fieldhouse—which saw more than 20,000 visitors in 2017-18—and understanding the community, its services, and assets.
“We were thrilled to welcome the NJCAA to campus and partner with area leaders to show off our facilities and our many remarkable restaurants, hotels, businesses and activities,” said Dale Vos, SC4 director of athletics. “We look forward to the positive impact these tournaments will have on our economy, helping our community thrive in the years to come, and we thank all those who helped us in this process.”
The tournament brings 16 teams from across the U.S. to compete for a national title. According to the NJCAA, the average length of stay at the 2017 event was six nights for a total of 961 local hotel room nights generated by participating teams (parents, fans not included). Additionally, it is estimated that the tournament will bring in approximately $250,000 to the local community each year.
“This is a big deal for St. Clair County,” said Marci Fogal, president of the Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Sixteen teams from all over the United States spending a week in Port Huron is a huge boost to the local area. The addition of a first-class facility like the SC4 Fieldhouse, along with the Blue Water Convention Center, many excellent restaurants, hotels and several positive improvements to the Blue Water Area, were essential in winning this bid. Plus, we love having people here, enjoying our downtown and beautiful waterfront.”
“The NJCAA is very excited to be awarding SC4 with the Division II Women’s Basketball Championship in the coming years,” said Dr. Christopher J. Parker, NJCAA executive director. “We know that SC4 will continue to provide the highest quality tournament for all of our participating student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans.”
