The West Texas Sports and Fitness Expo will feature a new basketball tournament in the event’s seventh year in Abilene.
The last day to sign up for the expo’s first annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament was extended from Friday to Tuesday. Teams can still register to play in men, women and co-ed divisions for youth and adults.
The expo is sponsored by the Abilene Youth Sports Authority and will take place the Abilene Civic Center on Feb. 4. Other events during the expo include the Lawrence Hall Chevrolet Quarterback Shootout, the Texas Farm Bureau Virtual Golf Long Drive Shootout and the Fast Pitch Shootout, among others.
Coordinators of the event expect the expo to be a fun family event for the entire Abilene community.
“It’s an exciting day for the community,” said Katie Miller, sports information coordinator of AYSA. “There will be lots of things to do; it’s a very high-energy event.”
Jon Smith, executive director of AYSA, said he’s most looking forward to the new basketball tournament.
“I’ve wanted to do a basketball tournament like this for a few years,” Smith said. “It’s a perfect fit for the atmosphere for the expo.”
Smith said the coordinators are expecting the highest turnout in the event’s history.
In addition to the sports events, the expo will also feature demonstrations from exhibitors and autograph signings from local athletes, including the Abilene Ruff Riders and athletes from ACU, Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University.
The expo’s proceeds will go to benefit two causes: an AYSA scholarship fund for the youth of Abilene who can’t afford the cost of organized youth sports and the Beltway Park mission.
While the Abilene Youth Sports Authority created the event and proceeds do go to benefit the youth in the Abilene area, the West Texas Sports and Fitness Expo is for the entire community.
“All of our activities are available to adults as well as youth,” Smith said. “There isn’t another event like this in the area so we really want to see a good turnout.”
Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children under 12 years old. The expo will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
To find out more about the expo or the basketball tournament, visit wtxsports-expo.com, email info@abileneysa.org or call (325)-692-2972.
