As the midway point of 2024 is upon us, the $50 billion travel and youth sports industry continues its explosive growth. In Q1 the action on the LakePoint Sports campus was also fast and furious, and Q2 hasn't slowed down a bit. Dive into the latest Champions Insider for insight from SFIA, SportsETA, and the Aspen Institute, and see how LakePoint Sports is capitalizing on the latest trends as it elevates the game and sets new standards inside and outside the lines.
Headline Highlights:
Travel and Youth Sports Experience Explosive Growth Nationally, Access and Local Opportunities Persist
Hot Start to 2024 Can Be Attributed to a Strong 2023
’24 Momentum Sets Up Summer for Success
LakePoint Sports at the Epicenter of Travel and Youth Sports Media and Technology
Elevating the Guest Experience Hits New Heights, Global Award and New Amenities for Guests
Partnerships Propelled to New Heights, Naming Rights, National Brand Campaign Launch...and More
LakePoint Local Leads 9 County Engagement Initiative
Beyond Sports: Experiencing the LakePoint Campus
Cultivating Culture as a Catalyst for Growth and Momentum
2023 served as the catalyst for the new year at LakePoint Sports as it began with a flurry of activities and events, laying a strong foundation for the rest of the year. From thrilling tournaments and triumphs, national championships, pro athlete training, concerts, camps and clinics, college and pro-scouts recruiting top talent, to record-breaking attendance, the following "Ode to '23" collage captures some of the highlights that set the pace for 2024 and the momentum carrying LakePoint Sports into the summer!
LakePoint Sports' five premium venues -- the Champions Center, Baseball Village, Publix Fields, Beach Pavilion, and Terminus Wake Park -- have been bustling with action through the first half of 2024. The resurfaced baseball fields led off the start of the high school season with the Georgia Dugout Club Tournament, featuring some of the top players not only in the Peach State, but the nation. Meanwhile, RYZE Hoops, Nike Elite Youth Basketball, 3Step Sports, and the Adidas Memorial Day Classic stormed the Champions Center. "Multi-purpose" was on full display at the Publix Fields with Championship 7v7 football, Elite Clubs National League soccer and rugby. The beach pavilion hosted the USA Volleyball Beach Tour national qualifiers amid its busy schedule; and Terminus Wake Park, fresh off officially joining the LakePoint Sports family, was recognized globally as Wake Park of the Year by the Wake Boarding International Association.
Elite youth athletes weren't the only ones taking center stage, though, as The Atlanta Vibe -- Atlanta’s pro volleyball team -- honed their skills at the Champions Center en route to a runner-up finish in the Pro Volleyball Federation; and basketball royalty took in some of the nation's top travel teams, with the likes of Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Hakeem Olajuwon in the stands.
LakePoint Sports has been delivering can't-miss even after can't-miss event in 2024, and we're just getting started, with Prep Baseball's prestigious National Program Invitational and Future Games, RYZE Hoops' Battle For Georgia, and the NXGN The Show's 7v7 combine, providing more unforgettable moments in the coming months.
The topic of sports media rights and broadcast deals is at the forefront of everyone's mind, and LakePoint Sports stands at the forefront of advancing when and where travel and youth sports are consumed. At LakePoint Sports, it's a national stage and a platform for elite athletes to be showcased through innovations in the digital and social space.
Every game at the Baseball Village is streamed through a partnership with Pixellot, with every second of action from the Champions Center to follow and the Publix Fields on the horizon. The digital team has elevated its broadcast efforts, taking viewers deeper inside the games with expert analysis and play-by-play calls, mic'd up players, cameras on umpires, interviews, and behind-the-scenes coverage with the best travel teams and players as they compete in the nation's premier events.
Storytelling is at the center of it all, providing athletes with the chance to elevate their brands and turn their performances on the fields and courts into a defining piece of their pursuit of their craft. So far in 2024, the spotlight has been on athletes like Zion Theophilus (one of the nation's top right-handers in 2025) and Moustapha Diop (a top-10 basketball player in 2026), insights from college recruiters on what they really look for in an athlete, and Georgia Highland College's journey to the Junior College World Series.
@ZionTheophilus is Ohio's No. 1 player in 2025. The righty takes @coryjmccartney inside his pitches, the "iron sharpens iron" environment of @BigMoeBaseball, and the process of committing for a second time when he picked @LSUbaseball.
“How do you handle failure is probably the biggest thing.”
What does a college look for in a player, on and off the field? Former Division I recruiter @jd_henson (@memphistigersbaseball) tells @coryjmc what matters to a program.
Between his junior and senior seasons at North Oconee, Grayson Godbee suffered a brain injury that threatened to derail his baseball career, and put a halt to his recruiting process during a crucial summer. He found his way back, and found a home at Georgia Highlands, a place with a connection that seemed more than just a coincidence.
Check out the latest in LakePoint Sports Content and Media. From highlights, to broadcasts, to a behind-the-scenes look inside the dugout or in a team huddle, the LakePoint Sports Media Team has “Game Day. Covered.”
With summer in full swing, LakePoint Sports is buzzing with excitement as the campus celebrates a series of new initiatives and updates aimed at elevating the guest experience. From brand-new cutting-edge turf installations on all eight baseball fields, the Champions Center hardwood floor refurbishment, new partnerships, a new naming rights partner, new technology, new events, new merchandise, new promotions, and new food and beverage offerings, there's plenty to get excited about in ‘24.
Worthy of celebration on a global scale, Terminus Wake Park was recognized by the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) for the prestigious WSIA Wake Park of the Year award, adding to LakePoint's growing list of achievements.
And that's not all – the finishing touches are being put on the new Element Hotel, operated by Horizon Hospitality. The 114-room hotel will feature a roof-top bar overlooking the south campus and a full-service restaurant, promising unparalleled comfort, and convenience on the LakePoint Sports campus.
The new updates are all part of LakePoint Sports' relentless commitment to providing excellence in the guest experience.
'It brings a true baseball look. The nation's premier venue just got better.'
Ask these coaches.
The Element Hotel by Westin, a Marriott brand, located in the heart of LakePoint Sports Campus, opens Fall 2024. Operated by Horizon Hospitality, this boutique hotel features a full-service restaurant and a rooftop bar overlooking the Baseball Village, enhancing the LakePoint Sports Campus experience.
The LakePoint Sports Champions Center boasts an expansive 170,000 sqft of space, including 120,000 sqft of clear span space. Recently, LakePoint Sports completed refinishing the hardwood flooring, which comprises 12 basketball courts or 24 volleyball courts, along with 12 Futsal courts. This refurbishment enhances the venue's appeal for elite athlete events and other non-sporting activities, catering to a diverse range of interests and preferences.
LakePoint Sports partnerships are designed to enhance guests' experiences both during their time at the state-of-the-art venues and as they plan their visit. Each collaboration allows LakePoint to offer exclusive special deals and promotions, ensuring that every aspect of the LakePoint Sports experience is elevated. From discounts on accommodations and dining to unique event packages and merchandise offers, these partnerships aim to provide added value and unforgettable memories for all campus guests.
LakePoint Sports has teamed up with Publix for an exciting partnership, bringing you something special. Details of the new partnership will be announced later this month, culminating with a special fall event! More details coming soon.
LakePoint Sports is thrilled to welcome back Rawlings as the title sponsor for the second consecutive year. The Rawlings PrimeTime Player Weekend, taking place from June 21st-23rd, 2024, at LakePoint Sports, promises a weekend packed with action and elite talent that should not be missed.
The event lineup includes:
Baseball Village: Prep Baseball 16U National Championship (167 Teams) Champions Center: GHSA Boys Team Camp (140 Teams) Publix Fields: The SHOW by NXGN (7v7 Football) (750 Athletes) Beach Pavilion: USAV East Coast Champ BRQ (80 Teams)
Discover the joy of community at LakePoint Sports. Our leagues and summer camps bring people together for unforgettable experiences, with camps selling out fast! Join us for a summer packed with fun and excitement!
Beyond sports, LakePoint Sports hosts a variety of non-sporting events that contribute to our dynamic atmosphere. From corporate retreats to community outings, these events highlight the versatility and vibrancy of our campus, making it a central hub for diverse activities and gatherings.
The LakePoint Sports Playbook defines the operational plan. It prioritizes and fosters a positive mindset, strategic planning, and “Progress Every Day.” The LakePoint Sports Team focuses on teamwork, clear objectives, high-performance standards and expectations, personal accountability, and celebrating all successes, however the size!
At LakePoint Sports, the 2024 mantra, "Unreasonable Hospitality," embodies a commitment to exceptional service and genuine care for every team member and guest. The LakePoint Sports mantra serves as a guiding principle or slogan, encapsulating the core values and aspirations of LakePoint Sports. Each year, LakePoint Sports adopts a new mantra, reflecting evolving aspirations aligned with the LakePoint Sports Mission, Vision, Purpose, and Values, the maturation of the organization, and the annual business plan.
"Unreasonable Hospitality" signifies LakePoint’s dedication to engaging with team members and guests, listening attentively, offering genuine care, devising solutions, and rejoicing in achievements. Through these practices, the LakePoint Team strives to leave a lasting, positive impression on every team member or guest engagement.
The dedicated LakePoint Sports Team Members are the cornerstone of the organization’s culture and success. Every month LakePoint Sports takes a moment to shine a spotlight on the individuals who embody the organization’s CHAMPIONS Values and how they deliver the Mission, Vision, Operating Principles, and ‘24 Mantra. Their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts are big reasons why LakePoint Sports is recognized as the premier travel and youth sports destination in the country.
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