The B9 sits down with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission

With the Big Ten Tournament coming to Columbus next week in partnership of the Big Ten and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, the Buckeye Nine was able to catch up with Linda Logan the executive director of the GCSC to ask a few questions about the upcoming tournament.

The mission of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission is to provide leadership, guidance and marketing expertise in attracting regional, national and international sporting events and activities to benefit Greater Columbus economically and socially. The Buckeye Nine would like to thank Ms. Logan and the GSCS for taking the time to answer a few questions.



B9: First tell us how exactly did the chance to host the Big Ten Tournament come about? Did you contact the Big Ten once Huntington Park was complete or in the works? Did the Big Ten reach out to Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission?

LL: Ken Schnacke (Clippers) & Linda Logan (GCSC) met with OSU Coach Bob Todd close to two years ago to discuss the possibility of bidding on the tournament. Linda Logan contacted the Big Ten. They were not going to open up a bidding process anytime soon. Ken & Linda began to do some homework on other major conference tournaments and traveled to Oklahoma City to see the Big 12 Tournament a year ago. (Logan used to work for the Big 8 in the 1980's during the period when they decided to go to OKCITY with their tournament). The GCSC and Clippers submitted a bid to the Big Ten. There were not guarantees that the Big Ten would consider the tourney bid without the formal bidding process. Administrators and Coaches had to agree to this request for a 3 year bid. There is more to the story, but in the end, they agreed to a one year pilot program.

B9: After the parties were in communication with one anyone, can you provide insight into what aspects about Columbus, Huntington Park, and the Arena District you really tried to promote and push to the Big Ten in the bid?

LL: We wanted to create a special environment for the student athletes and fans. We want to do those special touches that create a great tournament atmosphere...great hotels, restaurants, baseball movies at the Arena Grand, fantastic new ballpark, big league experience.


B9: I've seen advertising in print from the Columbus Dispatch, over the radio on WBNS, WTDA, etc, what approaches are you taking in promoting the event and what are you expecting in regards to attendance? Are you trying to target a particular age group? Is there an emphasis on family fun and bringing families downtown? Has there been a push to attract local college students?

LL: Limited budget; grassroots to baseball groups; corporate ask; local organizing committee with a volunteer sales forve, facebook, smiling & dialings, alumni & friends of Big Ten Schools

B9: Can you tell us a bit about how the idea came to have a different restaurant in the district be a bit of a headquarters for the 6 competing schools? And which establishments will be linked to which school?

LL: Big Ten Restaurants

(A corresponding Arena District establishment has been designated as a "base" for each of the 6 competing schools. Family, friends, alumni are encouraged to meet, eat, relax at the assigned host, the link provided by Linda list the 6 schools and businesses)

B9: In regards to the players and baseball programs of the 6 schools, what is the message or experience is at the forefront? Is there a "big league" feel you're trying to generate? Are there any special accommodations the programs will have that are atypical of college baseball?

LL: We want the athletes to walk from their hotel (Crowne Plaza) to the ballpark in their streetclothes and have their uniforms pressed and hanging in their lockers for that major league experience.

B9: If you could have the Big Ten, the fans, students, and programs leave Columbus with one impression, what ideally would you like that to be?

LL: We want to them to have a memorable experience that will last a lifetime.


Hopefully Linda's responses provides a bit of an insight into how the Tournament came to Columbus and what to expect next week. Also provided is the mission statement and list of goals the Big Ten and GCSC would like to achieve.

The mission of the Big Ten Local Organizing Committee is to sell tickets to the Big Ten Baseball Tournament, to raise awareness of the event and to provide outstanding hospitality to Big Ten officials, players and fans while showcasing Greater Columbus.

Goals to meet the mission statement are:

• Average 3,000 tickets each session of the eleven game tournament
• Produce the best Big Ten Baseball Tournament as recognized by athletes, coaches and fans
• Saturate market with event awareness and exposure
• Develop awareness, participation and support in Greater Columbus for the sport of baseball
• Leverage hosting of Big Ten Baseball Tournament to attract future high profile events




The GSCS will be having a special event taking place during the tournament.

Breakfast & Baseball

Get into the baseball mood before the game at the Arena Grand, located less than a block from Huntington Park. Come enjoy breakfast and a complimentary showing of the baseball classic The Natural before heading over to the tournament. Just show your tournament ticket at the door to get in FREE. The movie will play at 9:00 a.m. ET on both Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22. Please see the Arena Grand Web site for location: Arena Grand



Again thanks to Linda and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission for taking the time. Also check back to see the Big Ten POV and their answers to how Columbus became home for the 2009 BTT and other issues.

If possible please head out to Huntington Park next week, not only to support our Buckeyes but to support the city of Columbus as well as the Big Ten. It wouldn't hurt either if the Bucks could capture a Big Ten record 9th Big Ten Tournament Championship.