Choccolocco Park Blog

Choccolocco Park is excited to announce another collegiate baseball tournament coming to Oxford. The Gulf South Conference Championship Baseball Tournament will be played at our nationally-ranked sports complex in 2019 and 2020.

From Wednesday, May 1st, to Sunday, May 5th, the top eight GSC teams in the conference will meet in Oxford to see who comes out on top on the Signature Baseball Field, also known as ‘The Big House,’ at Choccolocco Park. The winner of the championship game ensures a spot in the NCAA Division II Baseball Tournament, representing the GSC.

The Gulf South Conference has 13 member schools, those of which include affiliate members Florida Institute of Technology, North Greenville University, Young Harris College, and Spring Hill College. Other member schools are University of Alabama in Huntsville, Auburn University at Montgomery, Christian Brothers University, Delta State University, Lee University, Mississippi College, University of Montevallo, Union University, Valdosta State University, University of West Alabama, University of West Florida, and the University of West Georgia. The GSC sponsors 17 sports, those of which include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field for men, and basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball for women.

In mid-October, representatives of the GSC, including Commissioner Matt Wilson, toured Choccolocco Park and called the facility “a remarkable venue,” making the decision to come to Oxford an easy one.

“The Gulf South features some of the best baseball in Division II, and we are excited to move our championship to Choccolocco Park and the City of Oxford,” said Commissioner Matt Wilson. “The facility is ideally created for our championship and will provide our student-athletes and fans with a fantastic experience. On behalf of our membership, I am thankful to the City of Oxford for partnering with us on this event.”

Oxford Parks and Recreation Director Don Hudson returned the compliment to the GSC, saying “The Gulf South Conference has a lot of history in this area, and we are very proud and honored to be the host of their baseball conference tournament,” said Hudson. “We hope they have a very nice visit to the City of Oxford and we welcome them.”

Mayor Alton Craft believes the Gulf South Conference Championship Baseball Tournament will exceed expectations and help to recruit more prestigious events at Choccolocco Park in the future.

“The positive economic impact that the GSC Baseball Championship will bring to the City of Oxford will allow for the rest of Alabama and surrounding states to see how much our city has grown, and continues to grow,” Mayor Craft said.

One major key in determining the success of the tournament includes the community’s support of the event. The Gulf South Conference and the City of Oxford officials are urging the Eastern Alabama to come out and see great baseball, enjoy all the excellent amenities that the Oxford and its surrounding areas have to offer, and catch sight of the remarkable facility we have at Choccolocco Park. City leaders believe fans will be impressed and entertained by the tournament and facility, and that they will enjoy Oxford’s restaurants, shopping and many forms of recreation and entertainment.

Greg Bagley, Athletic Director for Oxford Parks and Recreation, will continue the initiative started when major tournaments first began coming to the Choccolocco Park. The initiative allows local area schools to bring students out to the park and attend one day of the tournament play, giving them a chance to see the high quality of baseball the GSC offers. Advertising in the form of company logos on the ticket stubs, digital ads on the park’s video monitors, and public address announcements are available to interested businesses who would like to generously donate sponsorships for local students.

Since its opening, Choccolocco Park has become a focal point for activity within the city. With a surplus of things to do, and the rapid retail, dining, and lodging developments surrounding the sports complex, Choccolocco Park is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned within sports and leisure. On behalf of our citizens, we are excited to have another championship tournament at “The Big House,” and we look forward to continuing to achieve historical success in the sporting community.

Adult tickets for the tournament can be purchased at Oxford Civic Center beginning in May, and fans that are interested in volunteering for the tournament are encouraged to contact the Oxford Civic Center at 256-831-2660.