Hosting the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships on the Zola Witten Track in Welch Stadium is not only a coup for Emporia State’s athletic department. The Emporia and area community also benefits from athletes and fans staying and spending money.
Local financial benefits, however, began months before as Emporia State University made improvements to both Welch Stadium and the Zola Witten Track leading up to the championships.
Improvements included a new track and runway surface for Zola Witten Track and floor surface in Gym A, which is used for track practice; new concrete decking, seating, guardrails on the stairs, ADA improvements and lights in the stadium. Together, the projects cost $1.8 million. Although much of the work required specialized firms, nearly $570K was spent with local and area companies, with a special one-time investment from the City of Emporia of $400,000 to modernize the lighting in Welch Stadium.
“Emporia State University appreciates the long-term support of the Emporia community,” said Cory Falldine, ESU executive vice president and chief operating officer. “When the city invests in us, it’s our goal and our responsibility to take that investment and, in turn, support our partners and businesses in our community. This isn’t just an investment in the NCAA event, it’s a positive investment in every ESU, high school, and community event we have on the Emporia State campus.”
As for the event itself, the track and field meet begins Thursday. NCAA staff and key personnel began arriving on Monday with Tuesday the first day athletes and teams arrive for practice.
The meet runs through Saturday, May 25.
In total, 754 athletes are selected for the competition. Thousands of fans are expected to attend the events, which means hotels in Emporia are nearly all booked for the event. Other lodging has been booked in Topeka, Ottawa, El Dorado and the Olathe/Gardner area.
“Athletes and their fans will have the most pronounced positive impact on the Emporia economy,” said Falldine, “but teams are supporting local economies throughout the broader Emporia State University service area through hotel and other business interactions. This is an economic win for Emporia, Lyon County and central Kansas.”
Based on data from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, the total estimated economic impact of the NCAA event is $1.5 million. That includes $470,000 for lodging, $350,000 for food and beverage, $265,000 spent in retail outlets and $400,000 in other goods and services.
“ESU Athletics is excited to kick off a full summer of events in the Emporia community,” said David Spafford, ESU vice president, director of athletics. “These include the NCAA event, Unbound Gravel, the Kansas Shrine Bowl, the Emporia July 4th celebration viewable from Welch Stadium. Emporia continues to lead the way.”
Want to be involved?
Tickets:
- $30 for an all-meet pass, which covers all three days; $20 for students and seniors
- $15 for single-day passes; $10 for students and seniors
Volunteers:
Community members can volunteer especially on Saturday, May 25, 2024, for a variety of roles, including:
- Tickets
- Hospitality
- Awards
- Check in
- Warm up area
- Credential check
Information at: https://emporia.link/3yrC4zr.