League Championship to be Held at Durham Bulls Athletic Park for Next Four Years
The Atlantic Coast Conference and Durham Bulls have announced the ACC Baseball Championship will be held at Durham Bulls Athletic Park through 2018, as made known following the league’s annual spring meetings in Amelia Island, FL.
The agreement covers four championships, beginning with next year’s tournament and running through the 2018 season. The announcement follows a year-long RFP process, facilitated by the ACC Baseball Committee and approved by the league’s membership.
“We are pleased to announce that the Durham Bulls Athletic Park will be the home of the ACC Baseball Championship through 2018,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “The park, local organizing committee, and the City of Durham have been great partners and we look forward to a bright future and long term partnership.
“Our membership had a desire for the championship to find a home, and through its bid, Durham displayed its abilities to be that home. They showed a commitment to enhancing the event with their facility upgrades and their extensive promotional campaign with the Triangle Sports Commission and Capitol Broadcasting.”
The ACC Baseball Championship has been held in Durham eight times previously, including three of the past five years. In 2013, tournament records for single-game attendance (11,329) and championship game attendance (8,697) were set. The 2013 championship drew 58,454 fans, the fourth highest total in league history.
“We appreciate the vote of confidence from the athletic directors,” said Jim Goodmon, President and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Company. “I would like to think that this is just the beginning, that Durham and the Triangle will prove over the next four years that our community can be the permanent home of the ACC Baseball Championships.”
Durham Bulls Athletic Park began a $20 million transformation this year. In 2014, the DBAP boasts an all new playing surface, improved field lights, new seats, additional group picnic areas, and upgraded video displays and sound system.
Among many concessions upgrades is Jackie’s Landing, a new 10,000 square foot social space along the 1st base line which features themed food and beverage stands that allow fans an uninterrupted view of the game.
The “crown jewel” of the renovations is the 5,000 square foot PNC Triangle Club, an upscale space that provides a whole new level of exclusivity for premium ticket holders and groups looking to host special events at the DBAP.
“This is an incredible opportunity for both the ACC and the Durham community to shine. Baseball has been a key ingredient to the rebirth of Durham, and we believe it is also strategically positioned to be a key ingredient to the future success of Durham,” said Casey Steinbacher, President and CEO of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. “It is a match made in heaven by the baseball Gods, and we are excited to take full advantage of it!”
About the Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference, now in its 61st year of competition and 15 members strong, has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation. ACC members continue to build upon the cornerstones on which the league was founded in 1953 with a consistent balance of academics, athletics and integrity. For more information, visit theACC.com and follow @theACC and on facebook.com/theACC.
