Columbus to Host NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series
The delegates of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA)
unanimously selected Columbus, Ohio as the host city for the 2015 Gay Softball
World Series (GSWS) at their annual Winter meeting, which took place in
Washington, DC January 26-27.
The 2015 GSWS will
return to Lou Berliner Park August 14-22. The largest annual gay sporting
event in the world annually has over 5,000 participants from 46 cities within 20
states and three Canadian provinces. Columbus hosted the GSWS in August 2010,
when the Series brought over $5 million in visitor spending and 4,600 hotel room
nights to the city over the course of the nine days of
events.
“We are so excited the
NAGAAA is returning to Columbus in 2015,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman.
“The Gay Softball World Series was immensely popular with our residents and
businesses when it was here in 2010, and we look forward to showcasing how much
we’ve improved as a city since then.”
Typically, the
selection of the GSWS Host City takes place at the summer meeting just prior to
the Series taking place; however, after Executive Director, Dallas Aldridge,
gave a brief overview presentation to the delegates which outlined Columbus’
initial plans for the 2015 Series, delegates suspended their rules and motioned
to award Columbus as the Host City.
More than 50
businesses sponsored the 2010 Series, and more than 500 volunteers from Central
Ohio helped produce the GSWS tournament and events, which took place at Lou
Berliner Park and throughout Columbus. Berliner Park allowed for alcohol sales,
which raised $5,600 in tips that were donated to 15 local non-profit groups.
NAGAAA also hosted a talent show with nearly 1,000 people in attendance, which
raised $11,000 for Columbus AIDS Task Force and Camp Sunrise and their
12,500-guest closing block party was held in the Short North Arts District. The
Championship games were also broadcast live over OutQ on Sirius Satellite Radio
providing unique focus and exposure for Columbus and its GLBT
community.
In 2011, Experience
Columbus recognized the 2010 GSWS by awarding it The Expy Award, which
recognizes outstanding achievements by businesses, organizations and events in
creating vibrant, distinctive experiences for visitors and residents that have
enhanced the image of Columbus regionally, nationally and
internationally.
The volunteer Host
Committee, which produces the entire Series, is comprised of select members from
the Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association (CLGSA), Columbus’ gay
community and its allies.
“We are thrilled the
NAGAAA Council has voted to return to Columbus in 2015,” said Columbus Lesbian
and Gay Softball Association Executive Director Dallas Aldridge. “Our
partnerships with the Columbus community are stronger than ever, and we look
forward to creating an even better experience for all the participants.”
“We are proud to have
NAGAAA return to our city in 2015,” said Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Executive Director Linda Shetina Logan. “This event shines a spotlight on
our open and diverse community and Berliner Park, which is a crown jewel for
Columbus as the largest softball complex in the United States with 31
diamonds.”
