Sports commission would mean organized schedule, boost to New Ulm's economy

By JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- The proposed Sports Commission is taking steps closer to becoming a reality in New Ulm as they will hold an organizational meeting on 7:30 p.m. at Turner Hall.

Jeannie Albrecht of the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce said, "We want to want to get an idea from the local youth sports groups what their feelings are on this commission."

Showing interest in the Sports Commission and the possible usage of the vacant How-To Center are youth sports organizations such as New Ulm Basketball, Tai Kwon Do, Dance Line, Gymnastics, Archery and Wrestling.

"There are a number of sports groups that have shown interest in this," Rick Kamm of the New Ulm Junior Baseball Association said. "We want to talk to all of these organizations and get their feelings on what we should do to make this work."

Kamm is one of the people spearheading the project.

One of the proposals is to lease the vacant How-To Building Center located on County Road 37 near Hy-Vee as a place for all youth sports groups to use for on and off-season workouts.

Kamm said that some organizations have said that a commission like this and a facility like this would be well-used by many sports groups.

The Commission would also coordinate youth sports tournaments in New Ulm so they do not overlap.

Also a big plus is that the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau has expressed a "strong interest" in helping with the commission.

"What we want to do is set up a sports community calendar for these groups so that tournaments do not overlap here in New Ulm," said Albrecht.

A spokesman for the Chamber said that there is "a sub-committee of the Convention and Visitors Bureau that is working on this -- there are probably multiple groups working on this right now, and we are hoping to organize all of them."

If you are a spokesman for a sport, call the Chamber at 233-4300 and talk to Albrecht.

The Chamber would mail out to teams coming into New Ulm for tournaments visitors guides with ideas on what to do and see in their spare time. That means out of town money entering New Ulm's stores, businesses, hotels, motels and restaurants.

This Sports Commission is a win-win proposition for New Ulm. Tournaments bring big money into the city. This summer's Central Plains Legion Tournament will bring in an estimated $1 million to New Ulm.

Then you take our local Legion baseball and softball tournaments and you have more money entering our economy. Plus, you add in the Minnesota State 14-year-old baseball tournament that will be held here at the end of July, with the majority of teams staying in New Ulm, and it all adds up.

A team has 20 members who bring parents and family members. Let's just say that each family spends $100 a day -- that is a lot of extra money into our economy.

And next year, the Minnesota State PeeWee Hockey Tournament will be held at the new Civic Center -- that also brings a lot of money into our city.

I really believe that when this sports commission gets up and running, with the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors Bureau involved, it will bring a lot of state, regional and national tournaments into New Ulm.

And the bottom line is that means money for our town.

BERNARD WINS IN WRESTLING: New Ulm's Ali Bernard won the 147.5 pound title in the FILA Junior Women's National Wrestling Tournament in St. Joseph, Minnesota April 12.

Bernard pinned Stephany Lee of Wahine, Hawaii at the 5:30 mark to claim the title in the largest and most balanced weight division in the tournament.

Bernard dominated the tournament, earning four pins in a span of 14:45. She also received the Outstanding Wrestler award

LEGION BASEBALL TOURNAMENTS SET: The New Ulm Legion Baseball Committee has set up a tournament schedule for their teams this summer.

New Ulm Legion Gold will play in tournaments at Osseo June 27-29, the Upper Midwest Classic here July 3-6, the Pepsi Classic in Rapid City, S.D. July 11-13, Detroit Lakes July 18-20 and the Second District Tournament the last weekend of July and first weekend of August in St. James and Truman, before being automatically seeded in the Central Plains Tournament in New Ulm August 14-18.

Legion Blue will play in the Sioux Falls Tournament June 27-29, the Midwest Classic July 3-6 and then at Duluth Lakeview July 11-13.

The New Ulm Junior Legion will play in the Marshall Tournament May 31-June 1, at Monticello June 13-16 and then the Junior Classic here June 26-29.

The State American Legion D-I tournament this year is August 13-18 at Rochester.

CENTRAL PLAINS WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING: The Website for the 2003 Central Plains Tournament is now up and running. You can log on to it at www.centralplains2003.org.

AMATEUR SCHEDULE DONE: This season there will be two regularly scheduled Doubleheader Days at Johnson Park. The first will be Sunday, June 8 when the New Ulm Brewers host Hanska in a Tomahawk East League game at 2 p.m., before the Kaiserhoff entertains Milroy at 7:30 p.m. in a Western Minny League game. The next will be on Sunday, July 12 the Prior Lake Mudcats play the Brewers at 4 p.m., and the Prior Lake Jays play the Kaiserhoff at 7 p.m.. As usual there will be promotions throughout the season ending with Fan Appreciation Night (a date not yet set). This year, Fan Appreciation Day will feature a FREE hog roast courtesy of John and Leanna Fluegge. The schedule for these days will be released in two weeks. Stay tuned.