TULSA--The Big 12 Conference and the Tulsa Sports Commission have partnered to
host the Big 12 Wrestling Championship at the BOK Center in Tulsa for the next two years. The
2019 Championship will be held March 9 and 10, while the 2020 Championship will be March 7
and 8.
The #Big12WR Championship will remain in Tulsa through 2020.
Everything you need to know » https://t.co/2HtKKw760g pic.twitter.com/Xk29xlReYP
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 20, 2018
“Many thanks to the Tulsa Sports Commission, Tulsa Regional Tourism, the BOK Center and all
involved in the commitment to the Big 12 in staging a championship wrestling event that is
second to none,” said Big 12 Associate Commissioner Bob Burda. “The recognition of this
commitment is reflected in the two-year contract extension to stage our wrestling championship
in Tulsa through 2020. We look forward to growing our hosting partnership with Tulsa and
continuing the success of this great event.”
Housed at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, Tulsa Regional Tourism is an umbrella organization
that administers VisitTulsa, the city’s convention and visitors bureau; the Tulsa Office of Film,
Music, Arts & Culture, an accredited film commission; and the Tulsa Sports Commission, which
markets Tulsa as a destination for amateur sporting events.
“On behalf of the Tulsa Sports Commission and our local tourism partners, we appreciate the
Big 12 for believing in our ability to host the coveted championship for another two years,” said
Vince Trinidad, executive director of the Tulsa Sports Commission.
“We’ve worked long and hard to bring this conference to Tulsa, and it wouldn’t have happened without the collaboration among our regional tourism community and private investors, and the quality of amenities and hospitality we have in northeast Oklahoma.”
The Big 12 Wrestling Championship is the largest neutral-site wrestling conference
championship in the NCAA. In 2017, a record crowd of more than 15,000 fans saw Oklahoma
State win its 14th postseason conference championship.
The 2018 Big 12 Wrestling Championship will be held March 3 and 4 at Tulsa’s BOK Center.
“One of the goals of Tulsa Regional Tourism is to promote Tulsa as a leading destination for
visitors, and we do that through developing strong relationships to secure top-tier events like the
Big 12 Wrestling Championship,” said Ray Hoyt, senior vice president of regional tourism at the
Tulsa Regional Chamber. “We know that the BOK Center and the Tulsa hospitality community
will provide an excellent experience for athletes, coaches and fans.”
“We estimate the Big 12 Wrestling Championship will have an overall economic impact of $1.5
million,” said David Jeter, senior vice president/regional manager of business banking at BOK
Financial and the 2018 chair of the Tulsa Regional Tourism executive board. “Approximately
15,000 people will come to Tulsa for this championship over the course of one weekend.
We couldn’t be more proud to welcome this event back for another two years.”
“SMG is thrilled to extend our partnership with the Big 12 Conference to host their wrestling
championship at the BOK Center through 2020,” said Jeff Nickler, general manager of the BOK
Center/Cox Business Center, an SMG-managed facility. “We are proud to be part of this
marquee event and look forward to providing an exceptional experience for the thousands of
student athletes and fans who visit our city. Through constant collaboration with VisitTulsa and
the Tulsa Sports Commission, SMG is committed to bringing top-caliber sporting events to the
Tulsa region.”
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