Maryland Sports Unveils New Video

In FY16, Maryland Sports touched 317 events generating $176,641,000 in direct spending. But this is only the beginning and we are working to make the coming years bigger and better than ever.

Terry Hasseltine, the Executive Director of Maryland Sports stressed the importance of the video to highlight Maryland as a world-class sports destination.  “The video highlights the continued focus of Maryland Sports to promote Maryland as a sports destination and to highlight the strategic alliances we have created in order to achieve that goal. At the same time, emphasizing the importance of the sports tourism industry in the State of Maryland.”

Maryland Sports Aims To Increase State-Hosted Events

According to its website, the mission for Maryland Sports is to “enhance Maryland’s economy, image and quality of life through the attraction, promotion, retention and development of regional, national and international sporting events.”

For Terry Hasseltine, the agency’s executive director, that means casting a wide net.

While Hasseltine worked hard to bring the 2014 and 2016 Army-Navy games to M&T Bank Stadium and the 2011 game to Landover, Md.’s FedEx Field, and just finished working with Johns Hopkins University and Towson University to submit what he called “a robust series of bids” for the 2019-2022 NCAA women’s lacrosse championships, he’s also excited about an event happening at Fruitland Recreation Park Nov. 19-20: The US Quidditch Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.

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In Maryland, All Athletes Can Find Their Game | Sports Destination Management

With topography as varied as the U.S. itself, Maryland is primed and ready to host any event a sports planner has in mind. From mountain biking and whitewater kayaking in Western Maryland, to marlin fishing in Ocean City, to soccer in the plethora of sports-field complexes spread across the state, to cheerleading and gymnastics events in the Baltimore City and Ocean City Convention Centers, to indoor or outdoor tennis complexes to baseball in no less than nine minor league ballparks and more, the state has much to offer. It’s also accessible to travelers using any mode of transportation. In short, according to Terry Hasseltine, executive director of Maryland Sports, it’s a perfect location, and one planners should be considering in their site selection decisions.

Source: In Maryland, All Athletes Can Find Their Game | Sports Destination Management

Summer Lacrosse is Heating Up

With the start of summer officially around the corner, lacrosse tournaments around the state of Maryland are heating up. Different parts around the United States are well-known for certain sports, and in the Mid-Atlantic area lacrosse is certainly the sport to watch. In early June, major lacrosse tournaments took place where young players could develop their skills and display their skills in front of college coaches.

One of the tournaments that were held earlier this month was the Salisbury Summer Face-off. It featured different age groups for both boys and girls. James Simmons who is the Assistant Tourism Manager for Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism mentioned, “The great thing about this event is the venue. The games will take place at Salisbury University – who just won the DIII Men’s Lacrosse National Championship, their 11^th Lacrosse National Championship within the last 25 years. It is a phenomenal experience for these teams to get to play on the same facilities that such a storied program plays on as well. That has been a great draw for the event. Everyone knows about Salisbury Lacrosse and it is paying dividends for the event. They know that they could be the next one spotted by the legendary Coach Berkman.”

Crowd gathers as the first ever Salisbury Summer Face-off takes place in Wicomico County.

ISSA Eastern Shore Championships Return Once Again to Wicomico and Ocean City

For the second consecutive year, the ISSA Eastern Shore Championships made its way back to the Eastern shores of Maryland. Wicomico County and Ocean City were dual hosts this September when 37 teams traveled to Eastern Maryland for the Championships this year. “Wicomico County was very proud to host the ISSA Eastern Shore Championships again for a second year,” said Elle Marks, Sports Marketing Representative for Wicomico County Recreation, Parks, & Tourism. “After a successful tournament last year, we wanted this year’s tournament to be even better!”

Visiting teams came from Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and even as far as Ontario, CA to compete.

USSSA Eastern World Series is Bigger and Better than Ever!

The USSSA Eastern World Series is back in Maryland and is bigger and better than ever.  “We are thrilled to yet again host the USSSA Eastern World Series in Wicomico County, MD. Over the course of three weeks the tournament brings players, coaches, parents and families into our county and allows us to showcase the best of what we have to offer as a sports destination” said Elle Marks, Sports Marketing Representative, Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism.