State Basketball Championships Moving from Lakeland to Jacksonville
FOX 13 Tampa BaySeptember 23, 20251 min557 views
7 connectionsΒ·9 entities in this videoβChampionship Relocation
- π The Boys and Girls State Basketball Championships, after decades in Lakeland, will now be hosted in Jacksonville.
- π This significant event, which draws tens of thousands of visitors, will move to the University of North Florida's arena.
Impact on Lakeland Businesses
- π A downtown Lakeland business owner, Abby Starky, expressed concern about the move's negative impact on local businesses, especially those still recovering from economic challenges.
- ποΈ Starky highlighted that events like the championships are a crucial driver for businesses like her restaurant, The Chop Shop, which has been operating in Lakeland for nearly two decades.
- π€ She emphasized that businesses and the RP Funding Center have mutually contributed to downtown's success.
FHSAA Statement and Future Outlook
- π£οΈ The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) stated that the move to an NCAA Division 1 facility in Jacksonville offers student athletes a better playing environment and contributes to creating lifetime memories.
- π± Starky hopes that Lakeland will attract new and exciting events to compensate for the departure of the championships, bringing new people and energy to the city.
- ποΈ The move to Jacksonville is set to begin with the 2026 event.
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Whatβs Discussed
State Basketball ChampionshipsLakelandJacksonvilleFlorida High School Athletic AssociationRP Funding CenterUniversity of North FloridaLocal Business ImpactEvent RelocationNCAA Division 1 Facility
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