C-USA tournament expected to bring millions to El Paso

Sixteen schools, 31 teams, their staff, their family, friends and fans — all coming to El Paso Conference USA

“This is a win-win for everybody,” said President of the Hotel-Motel Association Rick LaFleur.

LaFleur expects to see big dollars generated this week.

“I checked in some teams Sunday night, checked in some more on Monday, checked in some this morning,” LaFleur said.

His hotel, the Wyndham, is near capacity, hosting six teams with 25 rooms needed per team.

“I think we have most of the city running at really high occupancy numbers,”LaFleur said.

Destination El Paso tourism has crunched the numbers. Breaking down the expected spending of each team, it’s players, staff and visitors by lodging, transportation, shopping, dining and entertainment, they estimate 4,000 people will fly into the city this week. They also said $4.1 million will be spent, up from $3.5 million in 2011, the last time El Paso hosted the tournament.

The tourists are spread out from the airport, to downtown, but lots of the action is expected to happen in the Cincinnati District.

“There’s going to be a fan fiesta, the places are all extending out there premises, there’s going to be things for the kids to do, adults to do, its going to be lots of fun,” owner of the Corner Tavern Anthony Duncan.

Lots of fun and lots of excitement, but don’t forget the Miners.

“Utep needs to win and keep winning. If they can win four games this week it’s going to be fantastic,” Duncan said.

The Miners actually do have to win to make sure this tournament is a financial success. Most observers say the Miners men team needs to win two of the four games, and reach the semi-finals, so tickets will keep selling throughout the week.