By Robert Kittle
The success of the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team means big bucks for the entire state. USC is hosting three NCAA games at the Colonial Life Arena. The Columbia Regional Sports Council estimates the games and the fans they attract will have an economic impact of about $1.3 million.
USC plays Savannah State first Friday evening, followed by Nebraska against Syracuse. The winners of those two games will face each other on Sunday.
Scott Powers, executive director of the Columbia Regional Sports Council, says, “There’s no games on Saturday, so that allows all the people coming into town to get to see what the Columbia region has to offer.”
That means going to the State Museum, EdVenture Children’s Museum, Riverbanks Zoo, the Columbia Museum of Art, and eating in restaurants across the city. Fans will also be shopping. The council’s estimate says the largest spending will be on retail, with lodging a close second.
The state is expected to bring in more than $145,000 in sales taxes.
Jim and Judy Sample are examples of why the tournament means so much for the city and state. Their granddaughter, Hailie Sample, is a starting forward for Nebraska. Jim says, “We just flew in from Dallas, Love Field, into Charleston. Spent the night at the Embassy Suites, and then drove over here this morning.” They plan on staying through Sunday, going to the games but also eating in restaurants and looking around Columbia.
Local businesses are looking forward to the increased business. Chuck Belcher is co-owner of Thirsty Fellow Pizzeria and Pub, which is just across the parking lot from the Colonial Life Arena. He says it’ll be an obvious increase from a normal USC home game. “Just because of the fact that there are four teams here, three others aside from Carolina, and the fans here follow them very well.” He expects to see some Savannah State fans, but doesn’t think too many Nebraska or Syracuse fans are likely to have made the trip.
But traveling wherever the team goes is the way it’s been for the past four years for the Samples. “Because it’s a granddaughter, and (we) love basketball, women’s basketball, and she’s a good player,” Judy Sample says.
