Over the last several years, Spartanburg has become an attractive Southeastern venue for sporting events and championships from across the country and overseas. Notable tournaments have included the USABA National GOALBALL championships, the SHRINE BOWL OF THE CAROLINAS, the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament, Region x njcaa Men’s Basketball Tournament and the American Bicycle Association East Coast Nationals, to name a few. In addition, Spartanburg is the home of the Southern Conference national headquarters.

Basketball and baseball are a large part of the Spartanburg sports scene as well. Each winter, college basketball teams from Wofford, USC Upstate, Converse College and Spartanburg Methodist College hit the hardwood. Three of the schools also field baseball teams, with Wofford playing on campus at the new Russell C. King Field and USC Upstate playing at the Cleveland-Harley Baseball Park. Spartanburg Methodist College annually ranks among the nation’s top junior college baseball programs.

Historic Duncan Park, among the nation’s oldest baseball stadiums, comes alive each summer with the sights and sounds of the grand old game. For over 75 years, the AMERICAN LEGION POST 28 BASEBALL TEAM has graced the playing field at Duncan Park. The venerable stadium also hosts two wooden bat college summer league teams. The SPARTANBURG STINGERS, of the Coastal Plains League, and the SPARTANBURG CRICKETS, of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League both offer some of the region’s top college talent, complete with the joyful crack of the wooden bat. The teams play at Duncan Park each summer.

Being a destination city has also landed Spartanburg several other prestigious events. For instance, what do Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Spartanburg all have in common? Goalball. After having held the INTERNATIONAL GOALBALL TOURNAMENT in Spain and Brazil, Spartanburg will host teams from all over the world to compete in late June 2006. Goalball, developed following World War II to help visually challenged soldiers in their efforts to rehabilitate following sight loss suffered in battle, is a fast-paced and inspiring game to watch in person. The tournament will be held on the USC Upstate campus.

Each May, the ASSAULT ON MOUNT MITCHELL and several related events illustrate Spartanburg’s “BikeTown” initiative. Held in partnership with the City of Spartanburg and the Mary Black Foundation, cyclists from throughout the country gather to race the 100-plus mile course from downtown to the summit of Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, the highest point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains.

In addition to the big race, several associated contests are held as part of the Bike Town week. A criterion, a half-mile circular road race, highlights a fun seven days for cycling enthusiasts, families and fans. Basketball and wrestling teams also flock to Spartanburg each year. In April, the top girls youth basketball teams from around the Southeast take part in the CAROLINA CLASSIC GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT hosted by USC Upstate. The area’s best high school grapplers grab the spotlight each December when Byrnes High School in Duncan hosts the BRIAN ARMSTRONG REBEL WRESTLING INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT.

With happenings year-round, the City of Spartanburg Parks, Recreation and Special Events Office as well as the Spartanburg County Parks & Recreation Department host numerous tournaments bringing countless visitors to the community to enjoy a variety of sporting events.