2009 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Boosts Maui Economy and Supports Community
The nation's premier early-season college basketball tournament contributes economic impact, charitable giving and worldwide exposure to the isle of Maui
MAUI, Hawaii, Feb. 15, 2010 – The 2009 EA SPORTSTM Maui Invitational®Hosted by Chaminade University brought $6 million in visitor spending, generating revenue for Maui businesses and global exposure for the island of Maui as a result of the nation's premier early-season college basketball tournament. The Tournament celebrated its 26th year of Basketball in Paradise® by working hand-in-hand with the Maui community to stimulate the local economy, host clinics for keiki and support non-profits.
Tournament Impact
According to the latest data released by the Maui Visitors Bureau, the Tournament welcomed thousands of out-of-state visitors, each spending an average of six days on Maui. Since its inception in 1984, the Tournament has brought more than $140 million to Maui's economy. Economic impact results are generated from expenditures by out-of-state visitors – boosters, players, officials, media, team and game personnel, sponsors, production crews and devoted basketball fans – who traveled to Maui for Sun, Surf and Hoops® at the famed Lahaina Civic Center.
"Year after year, the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational provides a great enhancement to our island by hosting a globally-recognized event right here in Maui with the best teams and players in college athletics," said Terryl Vencl, executive director of the Maui Visitors Bureau. "Maui was glad to welcome thousands of visitors to our island; we enjoy hosting a sporting event famous around the world for strong fields and Hawaiian hospitality."
"The EA SPORTS Maui Invitational is an unbeatable marketing tool for the island of Maui," said Chip Bahouth, general manager of The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. "It is an invaluable event for Ka'anapali and the entire island of Maui, because it brings the beauty and magic of Maui to millions of viewers. We are very fortunate to have such an iconic event and hope that it stays in Ka'anapali for many years to come."
Charitable Giving
Charitable giving is a perrenial focus of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. In 2009, Chaminade University of Honolulu and the Tournament, working with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, Maui's Department of Parks & Recreations, Hawaii Medical Service Assocation (HMSA) and adidas, hosted three free Hoops Clinic basketball skills programs to more than 250 deserving kids throughout Hawaii. This year's Hoops Clinic series built on the success of a Chaminade-hosted basketball clinic that had been held annually since 2003. In 2009, the clinics were expanded to include Boys & Girls Clubs in Ewa Beach and Honolulu, as well as the annual Lahaina clinic which boasted the largest turnout in the clinic's history. These events, which encourage kids to experience the joy of playing the game of basketball, benefit the Hawaii Foodbank.
The 2009 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational hosted a Charity Free Throw contest with all eight participating coaches the Sunday before tip-off. Local students were paired with a head coach and competed in a contest of free throw shooting. The Tournament donated money to each of the following participant schools' basketball programs; Lahaina Intermediate, Maui Waena Intermediate, Lokelani Intermediate, Iao Intermediate, Seabury Hall, Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus and St. Anthony. In addition, students from Lahainaluna High School were provided the opportunity to be ball boys and girls on the Lahaina Civic Center hardwoods on game days.
Another new element of charitable giving in 2009 extended to the U.S. Army's Warriors in Transition program, which helps soldiers recover and transition from duty into civilian life. As a participant in the program and a Hawaii native who served abroad for 11 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom before he was wounded, Specialist James Dela Cruz was honored as an official game ball presenter on the first day of the Tournament.
In addition to making a positive economic impact, the Tournament annually contributes thousands of dollars to local charities, such as the Aloha House,Baldwin High School, Boy Scouts of Maui, Hawaii Food Bank – Oahu, Job Corps, Lahainaluna High School, Make A Wish, Maui Food Bank, the Tongan Youth Organization (Kihei) and Starwood Foundation of Hawaii, among others.
Exposure for Maui
Further expanding Maui awareness worldwide, approximately 4.4 million television viewers watched the 2009 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU which offered live television coverage of all 12 Tournament games again in 2009.
""The Tournament has been a part of Maui's economic landscape for nearly 30 years,"" said Tom Valdiserri, senior vice president of KemperSports, operator of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. ""We were proud to partner closely with fantastic Maui businesses to support positive momentem in travel and tourism in the fourth quarter of 2009.""
The 2010 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational will celebrate a powerhouse year as Connecticut, Kentucky, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington, Wichita State and host Chaminade University of Honolulu vie for the coveted early-season title Nov. 22-24 at Maui's Lahaina Civic Center.
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TOURNAMENT DATES
November 22-24, 2010
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