Real estate developer and hotelier Michael Bennett has literally stepped up to the plate as the native Charlestonian’s company has agreed to serve as the title sponsor for the 2008 and 2010 Southern Conference Baseball Championships at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
With The Citadel serving as the host institution for the 19th consecutive season and now joining forces with the Charleston RiverDogs as co-hosts for the 2008 and ’10 events, the Bennett Hofford Company will serve as the primary sponsor for those two tournaments.
Billed as the Bennett Hofford Family of Hotels Southern Conference Baseball Championships, the tournament’s winner secures the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA postseason.
“I am a lifelong baseball fan and youth baseball coach and am appreciative of what the Southern Conference Baseball Tournament has meant to my hometown over the years,” said Bennett. “We are pleased to have this relationship with the Tournament Committee, the league and especially the teams.”
“The City of Charleston and The Citadel have hosted this tournament since 1990 and together we have made this one of the premier collegiate baseball tournaments in the country,” said Citadel Director of Athletics Les Robinson. “And with our working directly with the RiverDogs and now the strong commitment made by Michael Bennett, we are indeed excited about the future of this tournament in Charleston.”
“In terms of attendance, the facility, and the support we receive from The Citadel and the local community, our tournament is as good as any baseball tournament you’ll find in the NCAA,” said John Iamarino, commissioner of the Southern Conference. “The commitment Michael Bennett is making will insure that this event will continue to successfully grow in Charleston.”
The 2008 tournament will be at Riley Park for the 12th consecutive year and runs from May 20-24. All 10 teams that play baseball in the Southern Conference qualify for the tournament which features a double-elimination format. The 2009 tournament will be played in Greenville.