December 2022 | Vol. 8 | Greater Waco Sports Commission

Monthly News & Updates

December 2022 | Vol. 8

Winter Announcements

The SPARTAN Stadion Race (5K)
April 1st, 2023

With the new year around the corner and ideas for New Year’s resolutions for 2023 already bouncing around in our heads, we’re excited to bring many events in the spring to participate in.

One of our signature events we’re proud to bring to this community for the first time ever is the Spartan Stadion Race at McLane Stadium on April 1st! If you’re like me, you might wonder what does “Stadion” mean? Stadion was actually an ancient running event and a part of the Ancient Olympic Games and the other Panhellenic Games. The stadion was named after the building in which it took place, also called the stadion. Confusing enough right? Well, over time this word became stadium in Latin, which became the English word stadium.

To celebrate McLane Stadium competitors will get to race in, through, and around our premier “Stadion” alongside others in a 5K style race with 20 obstacles along the way! It’s not just for the adult Spartans- kids can also compete in an adjusted ½ and 1 Mile course! Sign up here!

All finishers receive a T-shirt, medal and professional photos, and every registration comes with access to the Spartan Account to track your tickets, race results, photos, teams, and challenges.

If racing isn’t your thing we still will have opportunities to volunteer for the event and would love to have you come out and experience the fun for all ages! Visit our volunteer link below.

Texas Tennis Classic
(Feb 25- March 5)

The ATP Challenger Tour and United States Tennis Association (USTA) have announced that the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco will host the 1st annual Texas Tennis Classic, February 25 – March 5, 2023. The tournament, an ATP Challenger Tour event, is the largest tennis event to come to Waco and attracts many players ready to play PNB Paribas Indian Wells just a week later.

The field for the $75,000 ATP Challenger Tour Event will feature 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams. Players ranked as high as No. 40 in the world typically compete in ATP Challenger events. The qualifying rounds begin February 25 and will determine the final four singles players in the field. Main Draw matches begin Monday, February 26 at 11am. Make sure you take advantage of bringing your friends and family to watch top world talent playing right here in Waco! Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Events

Check out what events are coming up in Waco and how you can get involved.

Sponsorship Opportunities

We are always looking for new community partners! Please email [email protected] if you are interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities with new events for your business.

GWSC Volunteer Opportunities

Click here to check out upcoming opportunities or email [email protected]

Waco Rowing Regatta

The first annual Waco Rowing Regatta was a complete success. For those that came out and enjoyed the 70 degree weather, the party in Brazos Park East, premier atheltes like the back-to-back NCAA women’s rowing champions from Austin, and inspiring local athletes from La Vega ISD and other surrounding schools breaking barriers- we hope you enjoyed your time!

Waco was able to host multiple Olympians, athletes, and celebrities that were here to support the efforts of the Waco Rowing Center. For those that had to miss out this year, be on the look out for the next regatta coming to Waco. The Waco Rowing Center and City of Waco did an incredible job of making this possible! Thank you!

International Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu Federation

If you haven’t heard, this week at the BASE (next to the ExtraCo Event Center), Waco will be hosting our first IBJJF event. With the help of local martial arts enthusiast, Chris Gonzales, we were able to attract IBJJF to host their competition here in Waco. We’ll have over 35 international athletes compete alongside the 1,000 other martial artist competitors.

Be sure to come the BASE to experience the action this weekend!

We’ll also be host to the first ever CenTex Challenge where we’ll have over 110 volleyball teams compete downtown at the Waco Convention Center and at Baylor’s Student Life Center. Be sure to catch the fun Dec 17-18!

Executive Director's Message

It’s hard to believe we’re at the end of the year. I always appreciate this time of the year where we typically reflect on the road that we all recently traveled. It’s an uncomfortable exercise that requires slowing down. We’re all “b-u-s-y” these days, but it’s critical to STOP…. appreciate the journey that’s been travelled. That said, we got to do that here at the GWSC this past month and it’s encouraging all that we’ve gotten to be a part of here in this place special.

Thank you for the partnerships, the friendships, the inspiration, the blood, the sweat, the hard work, and the fun in helping make “sports” have an impact in this community by supporting the local businesses and county residents. We hope that you too can STOP. Reflect. And be inspired by your own journey this past year.