Lincoln Will Take Baseball Tournament
LINCOLN, Neb. — Omaha will host the Nebraska State High School Wrestling Tournament in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.The Nebraska School Activities Association voted 6-0 to move the tournament to the Qwest Center from Lincoln’s Devaney Center.
Thursday, the Omaha Sports Commission offered to pay the $50,000 fee to rent the Qwest Center, sparing the NSAA that cost.
“There’s no cost to you for renting the facility at all, “said Dan Morrissey, part of the team making the pitch.Omaha also offered to waive the parking fee at the Qwest Center for teams and officials.
“We do not want schools to pay for parking, “said Tom O’Gorman, on Omaha’s pitch team.Lincoln countered with its own big-money offer from the local business community.
“A total package of $31,500, “said the Lincoln Visitors Bureau’s Wendy Birdsall. “And we’ll give you $41,500 if you stay here for five years.
“Lincoln’s mayor was quick to draw the tradition card.”Lincoln is a good, safe place, “said Mayor Coleen Seng. “When kids come in here from across the state, they are coming to the capital city.
“NSAA board members said the two cities made good sales.
“At first blush, it appears the two proposals are pretty close, from a financial perspective, “said NSAA’s Jim Tenopir.
While the costs to organizers is nearly equal, that’s not the case for fans. They’ll have to reach deeper into their pockets to go to Omaha. On average, Lincoln hotels are about $15 cheaper per night than Omaha’s. Parking at the Devaney Center is free, while Qwest Center parking is $6 for one session, or $9 all day. Plus, Omaha has a seat tax of $1 per ticket.
The NSAA also voted Friday to move the award the Nebraska State Baseball Tournament to Lincoln. That tournament has been held in Omaha for years. Lincoln will use Haymarket park to host the event.
Wrestling Gear
