It’s been a while since basketball has been played at the Foley Event Center, so it goes without saying everyone on staff is excited for the Primetime Gulf Coast Nationals/ Stars and Stripes Classic Basketball Tournament June 26 – 28.
The tournament usually falls on Memorial Day weekend but the COVID pandemic caused it to be postponed. Tournament Director Richard Robinson said a lot has changed over the last month.
“Because of the new normal we expect 80 teams as we had to limit spacing,” Robinson explained. “Normally this tournament draws more than 120 teams from Florida, Mississippi, Alabama Tennessee, and Texas.”
While there may be fewer teams Robinson promises the competition will still be top-notch and so will the safety measures. There will be sanitizing stations placed around the facility, temperatures will be taken, social distancing will be enforced, and the schedule allows for the facility to be cleared of teams and spectators before the next game begins.
Foley Sports Tourism Event Operations Assistant Chad Raybon said working with Robinson has been a pleasure.
“Coach Robinson has hosted tournaments in other states that had restrictions lifted earlier,” Raybon said. “We collaborated on what has worked for him and what has worked for us. By sharing ideas we have drawn up a plan to keep everyone who walks through our doors safe. That’s our shared goal.”
The tournament begins on Friday evening and runs through Sunday evening. For more information on this or any FST event visit our events page.
