Spring Signals Strong Sports Season
Now that the fickle Michigan weather has officially flipped a switch from winter to summer (I guess we’re skipping spring?), thoughts turn to all-things sports – the crack of a bat, the kick of a soccer ball, the ping of a golf ball and the footfall of a runner. At the WMSC, sports are a 24/7/365 business – but we also feel the shift to a busier sports season as we prepare for a full lineup of outdoor sports.
Here’s a peek at some of the more noteworthy sporting events and opportunities over the next few months.
Major Sports Tournaments & Events
We are hosting some major events this spring and summer (some of which are also new to West Michigan) that will be fun for both athletes and spectators:
USA Rhythmic Gymnastics 2022 Elite Qualifier – May 20-22, DeVos Place. While this isn’t Grand Rapids’ first Rhythmic Gymnastics program, this particular event combining elements of gymnastics, dance and calisthenics is a first for Grand Rapids and the final step to qualify for the USA Gymnastics Championships.
JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes – June 9-12, Millennium Park. Initially postponed due to COVID, this is JDRF’s inaugural event in Grand Rapids. JDRF (formally the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) hosts these events at locations around the country to raise money for type 1 diabetes research.
GR Firefighter Challenge 2022 – July 29-31, Calder Plaza. This 30-year national event comes to Grand Rapids for the first time, highlighting skillsets and talents of firefighters as competitors climb a five-story tower, drag and hoist fire hoses, simulate forcible entry, and race around obstacles on a firefighter training course. Companies and non-profits can also participate, and kids can try the Kid’s Challenge Course and enjoy other family-friendly activities
Meijer State Games of Michigan – June 23-26, various venues. We have a few new features at the Meijer State Games-Summer Games this year - Adaptive Tennis is being added as a new sport. We also are debuting new round medals featuring a geometric, pyramid pattern.
Blockbuster National Tournaments
Grand Rapids will play host to some signature national sporting events that will draw large crowds and their related visitor spending. This spring, we’re excited to host the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championship May 26-29 at Grand Valley State University for the third time, expected to attract 750 athletes and 300 coaches who will fill 3,500 hotel room nights and generate approximately $1.9 million for the local economy. And the USBC 2022 Junior Gold Bowling Championships July 11-23 will be our largest event this year, attracting the top 5,000 male and female youth bowlers in the United States who will play at bowling centers across West and Central Michigan, from Muskegon to Lansing – generating an estimated economic impact of $7.3 million.
Photo courtesy of Jordan Menard
Volunteer Opportunities
Want to get involved this spring and summer in some of these exciting events? We have loads of volunteer opportunities, and some with some great perks:
NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships, May 26-29 at GVSU.
Meijer LPGA Classic, June 13-19 at Blythefield Country Club – NOTE: There is some fun swag in this opportunity, including two official tournament golf shirts and a tournament hat or visor, in addition to four weekly grounds passes for friends and family.
Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championship, July 8-10 at MVP Athletic Club-Crahen – email Jeovani.Pantoja@maryfreebed.com if interested in volunteering.
SBC Junior Gold Championships, July 11-24 at various bowling centers.
Beer City Open Pickleball Championship, July 20-24 at Belknap Park.
Grand Rapids Firefighter Challenge, July 29-31 at Calder Plaza
