06 Jun 2012 Conway to host 2013-2017 AHSCA All-Star Activities

Central Arkansas residents will once again have a short drive to watch the state’s best high school athletes compete in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association (AHSCA) All-Star Activities.

The governing bodies of Arkansas high school athletics voted Wednesday, June 6, to move the All-Star Week clinics and games to Conway starting in 2013. The five-year agreement will bring thousands of coaches, athletes, vendors and spectators to Conway each June.

“We are excited for the opportunity to bring the high school All-Star games and coaches’ clinic back to UCA and central Arkansas,” said Joey Walters, deputy executive director of the Arkansas Activities Association. “We look forward to working with the City of Conway, Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau, UCA and Conway Public Schools. We think this will be a great event with much success.”

“Recruiting this event back to Conway was a team effort,” said Rachel Earls, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce director of destination marketing. “Conway has established itself as a premier location for youth sports. The All-Star games provide a great experience to high school athletes, and we are pleased that our team can take part in that experience.”

UCA will serve as the host site for student housing, the coaches’ clinic, and the baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball and football games. Conway High School will host the soccer games. A number of city and community facilities will host practices throughout the week.

Conway and UCA previously hosted a number of All-Star Week activities for decades until 2002 when the events moved to Fayetteville.

Conway Mayor Tab Townsell said that Conway residents who remember the event will be pleasantly surprised with the new agenda. “Over the last decade, the All-Star activities have grown to include more sports and more athletes. We’re excited that Conway has also grown into a place that can host such a large and high-profile event.”