The Rochester Amateur Sports Commission’s (RASC) ongoing efforts to bring large-scale events to Rochester involve many sports and not just the traditional ones such as basketball and volleyball.
One such example is in the area of pool and darts. The sports commission is fortunate to have a very strong local partner in these two sports in D&R/Star. This organization has been in Rochester since 1963 and provides pool leagues for over 4,500 pool players and 2,500 dart players as well as being a proud sponsor to many youth players in southeastern Minnesota.
Mike Hawkins, president of D&R/Star and pool director Wayne Herron are great examples of local partners who understand the importance of community and bringing economic impact to the city of Rochester. As a member of Minnesota Operators of Music & Amusement (MOMA), Hawkins was instrumental in MOMA selecting Rochester and the Mayo Civic Center to host the 2013 and 2014 MOMA Combined Pool and Dart Tournament.
Hawkins commented, "With cities such as Mankato, St. Cloud, and Duluth wanting to host these events, we emphasized the overall economic impact these events will bring to Rochester rather than what the costs would be. Over 3,500 participants & families will come to town to watch this four-day tournament and 160 pool tables and 120 dart boards will be used. We appreciate the good working relationship we have with the Sports Commission to partner on these events."
The RASC also works closely with Herron on two annual events. The first is the D&R/Star Year End Dart Tournament that Todd Coughlin, the D&R/Star Dart Director holds at the Fairgrounds that has over 1500 participants and requires 80 dart boards over four days. Herron runs the D&R/Star Year End Pool tournament which has more than 400 five-person teams participate and utilizes 200 pool tables.
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"An event this size can only be possible with citywide support behind them. We’re thankful to the Sports Commission and the Rochester Parks and Recreation Department for their partnership," Herron adds.
Also, in 2010, D&R/Star brought in the Valley National Eight Ball Association (VNEA) Youth International Pool Tournament. 800 of the best young pool players participated from all over the US and New Zealand in this prestigious four-day event. In 2015 Rochester will again host this tournament which will be VNEA’s 25th annual Youth International Pool tournament.
The sports commission is privileged to have such excellent local partners in Mike Hawkins and Wayne Herron. We appreciate all that they bring to the community each year and the great service and commitment they provide to their players and the city of Rochester.
