EVENTS
All-Star Sporting Event
Recognizes an established sporting event that sets the standard for planning, execution, and participant experience.
1. The SGT Bishop Evans JROTC Invitational
The SGT Bishop Evans JROTC Invitational earned this title for its meaningful mission and growing impact beyond traditional economic metrics. Named in honor of Bishop Evans, a Mansfield High School JROTC graduate who died in 2022 while serving with the Texas National Guard, the event was created to elevate JROTC programs often overlooked in school athletics. The Invitational was launched after Evans’ former instructor, Sgt. Daniel Kinnel, partnered with Visit Mansfield to establish a premier North Texas drill meet worthy of long-distance travel. Since its inaugural event in 2022, the tournament has expanded from three participating teams to 20, with plans already underway to move into larger venues as interest continues to grow. While the event generates economic activity typical of sports tournaments, its primary focus remains on student development, leadership, and recognition. The Invitational has strengthened Mansfield’s identity as a veteran- and military-friendly community while providing cadets a high-caliber competitive experience that honors service, sacrifice, and excellence.
2. Little League Baseball World Series
The Little League Baseball World Series delivers a world-class competition while remaining accessible and family-focused. Held each August in South Williamsport, Pa., the event brings together 20 teams from around the globe to compete for a world championship, celebrating youth athletics, sportsmanship, and international camaraderie. Over an 11-day span, the tournament features 38 games that attract fans of all ages and backgrounds. A hallmark of the Little League Baseball World Series is its commitment to affordability, offering free admission and free parking for all attendees. Beyond the action on the field, the event offers a diverse range of interactive experiences and entertainment options that appeal to both baseball enthusiasts and non-baseball fans alike. Visitors do not need prior knowledge of the sport to enjoy the atmosphere, making it an ideal all-day family outing. The combination of global competition, inclusive access, and memorable fan experiences continues to make the Little League Baseball World Series a signature event in youth sports.
3. 2025 Lake Erie National Cheer and Dance Championships
The Lake Erie National Cheer and Dance Championships earned the All-Star Sporting Event title following a record-setting year that highlighted its competitive excellence and community impact. Now in its 11th year, the annual event in Erie attracted a record number of teams and participants, drawing competitors and spectators from Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, and Canada. Held over a single weekend, the championships generated an estimated $2.9 million in economic impact, providing a significant boost to local hotels, restaurants, and small businesses.
Beyond its financial contributions, the event demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement. Participants and attendees supported a food drive that collected 1,853 pounds of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank, extending the event’s impact beyond competition. The championships continue to grow in both scale and reputation, offering a high-caliber experience for athletes while delivering measurable benefits to the host community. This combination of competitive success, regional reach, and meaningful local involvement distinguishes the Lake Erie National Cheer and Dance Championships as a premier All-Star sporting event.
Best New Sporting Event
Highlights a newly launched event that has shown outstanding innovation, rapid growth, or exceptional impact within its first two years.
1. Lightning Rod Energy Goalie Creator Game
The Lightning Rod Energy Goalie Creator Game by Two Goalies earned the Best New Sporting Event title for its innovative approach to hockey and family entertainment. Held at the Children’s Health StarCenter in Mansfield, Texas, the inaugural event brought together top hockey content creators for a one-of-a-kind competition: an entire game played exclusively by goalies in full gear. The unique format drew hundreds of in-person attendees and thousands of online viewers, creating a dynamic and interactive fan experience. Beyond the ice, the event featured challenges, pyrotechnics, and family-friendly activities, ensuring entertainment for all ages.
The tournament culminated in the presentation of a large, highly coveted trophy, quickly establishing the Lightning Rod Energy Goalie Creator Game as a standout in the online hockey creator community. With its mix of high-level skill, creative competition, and immersive fan engagement, the event set a new standard for new sporting experiences, demonstrating how innovation and community connection can redefine what a sporting event can be. Its debut success promises to make it a must-attend fixture for hockey fans and content creators alike.
2. Project Inspire Soccer Fixture #2
Project Inspire Soccer Fixture #2 is praised for its pioneering role in creating competitive opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairments. Held September 13–14, 2025, at HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake, Wash., this second national fixture marked a milestone as the first league of its kind in the United States. The event gave athletes the chance to compete at the highest levels while fostering leadership, mentorship, and community engagement.
More than a tournament, Project Inspire is a movement. Fixture #2 featured dynamic soccer games that celebrated skill, determination, and sportsmanship, inspiring athletes, families, and fans alike. The event also emphasized confidence, resilience, and personal growth, showing the transformative power of inclusive sport.
Its success was made possible by HUB Sports Center’s world-class facilities and by the support of USL Spokane, local businesses, volunteers, and civic leaders, who created a welcoming and memorable experience. With its competitive excellence and community engagement, Project Inspire Soccer set a new standard for inclusive sporting events, making Liberty Lake and the Inland Northwest leaders in promoting athletic growth, inclusion, and meaningful impact.
3. NCAA DII Men’s Golf Atlantic/East Regional
The NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Atlantic/East Regional made its Erie debut May 8–10, 2025, earning recognition for its high-level competition and local impact. Bringing together 20 of the nation’s top DII men’s golf programs—10 from the Atlantic Region and 10 from the East Region—along with four individual qualifiers, the tournament showcased elite collegiate talent across three days of intense play. Five-player teams and individual competitors vied for the opportunity to advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship at PGA National Resort later in May.
Although not a brand-new event, hosting it in Erie marked a first for the city, drawing national attention and providing a significant boost to the local economy. The tournament generated more than 500 hotel room nights and an estimated $240,000 in economic impact, benefiting local businesses and hospitality partners. The NCAA DII Men’s Golf Regional demonstrated that Erie can successfully host premier collegiate sporting events while delivering a world-class experience for athletes, coaches, and fans alike. This combination of competitive excellence and community benefit highlights the tournament’s lasting impact.
