MEDFORD, Ore. – The Southern Oregon Open is back in full force this weekend at Rogue X, bringing in about 200 youth basketball teams and an estimated $1 million in economic activity for the Medford area.
“We started the event in 2007. It was a senior project from a high school student, Kyle Singler, who was graduating at South, was on a trajectory to be a great basketball player, had a passion about Kids Unlimited, and had a passion about creating a tournament,” Tom Cole, Executive Director of Kids Unlimited said. “At that time, we had no idea that the legacy would grow to the event that it is today.”
Cole says the tournament now attracts elite teams from across the country.
“We have some of the most elite high school teams in the country. We have Cal Stars coming up here, which is a Nike EYBL team. We have teams from as far south as Santa Rosa and Sacramento to as far north as Portland.”
While Rogue X hosts the centerpiece of the action, games are also held at South Medford High School, Oakdale Middle School, McLoughlin and Kids Unlimited. The event operates 20 courts at once to accommodate the scale of play.
“The advantage of having Rogue X and the partnership with the city has been incredible. It’s an amazing venue to showcase how special Medford is and an amazing venue to do it in,” Cole said.
Local tourism leaders say the Southern Oregon Open arrives at a busy time for Medford’s economy, overlapping with the Art in Bloom festival, wine events, and Mother’s Day weekend.
“May is one of the busiest months of the year for tourists, but also for locals to get out,” T.J. Holmes, Senior Vice President of Travel Medford said. “We have great weather, a lot of great events happening with Art in Bloom coming back for the first time in a few years downtown, Made in Southern Oregon in Central Point, the Southern Oregon Open at Rogue X, and a big softball tournament at Lithia & Driveway Fields.”
The tournament fills hotels and drives up business for local restaurants, retail stores, and wineries especially as Southern Oregon enters its peak tourism season.
NewsWatch 12 reached out to the city of Medford for comment. “We’re excited to provide a facility that allows Kids Unlimited to expand their amazing program to help more families.” Rich Rosenthal, Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Director said.
“Restaurants, retail, see an uptick at this time too. Obviously lodging, to be able to host all these people coming in,” Holmes said. “We’re glad that we have some tourism driving events like those sports tournaments and then some of those tourism enhancing events like Made in Southern Oregon and Art in Bloom.”
For Cole, the tournament’s success means more than just full gyms and busy streets. It directly funds youth sports and opportunities through Kids Unlimited.
“We always think that the biggest differentiator for our tournament is that after the last ball is bounced and the last horn is sounded, the outcome for our kids is special,” he said. “Our kids and families participate in the event, but they also benefit by it.”