UTEP To Host 2014 C-USA Basketball Tournaments

El Paso has been selected as the site of the 2014 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. The championships will coincide with UTEP’s centennial celebration.

The Conference USA Board of Directors held its annual meeting Monday, June 11 with C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky and Executive Associate Commissioner Judy MacLeod. The meeting opened as presidents and chancellors from the 2012-13 Conference USA members gave final approval on a number of recommendations made by the athletics directors during last month’s Spring Meetings.

El Paso and UTEP hosted the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in Spring 2011. It had an estimated economic impact of $3.5 million and national television exposure for the city of El Paso.

“The Board determined that a rotational hosting model would be best moving forward in the conference,” C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky said in a statement. “UTEP and the El Paso community were enthusiastic and extraordinary hosts for our men’s and women’s championship in 2011.”

“It’s terrific news for UTEP and the El Paso community,” UTEP Director of Athletics Bob Stull said in a statement. “So many people banded together to produce a first-class event in 2011 – the city, the county, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sports Commission and all of our volunteers, particularly from the Sun Bowl Association. We’re looking forward to staging another great championship in 2014.”

“It’s another tremendous event for our community to celebrate,” El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau General Manager Bill Blaziek said in a statement. “The 2011 tournament was probably one of the best that Conference USA has ever enjoyed, exceeding all expectations in terms of attendance and revenue. The performance justified a quick return.”

“I think it’s a testament to the great job we all did the first time the Conference USA Tournament was here,” El Paso Sports Commission CEO Brian Kennedy said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to everybody working together again to produce an outstanding tournament.”

The 2013 C-USA Championships will be played in Tulsa, Okla.

Besides playing host to the C-USA men’s and women’s basketball championship in 2011, the Don Haskins Center was the site of the men’s Western Athletic Conference tournament in 1984, 1985 and 1990.