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Club softball coaches explore the myriad of tournaments that are available during the spring, summer and fall in search of finding the right fit for their team. It can be based on location, or level of competition or amenities available to the team.
One tournament on the schedule provides outstanding competition and provides an unmatched learning environment in support of a player we lost too soon – the Alex Wilcox Classic.
Alex Wilcox, who was enrolled at Mississippi State, passed away in 2018 after a three-year battle with ovarian cancer.
Her memory lives on in the tournament that bears her name. Entering its sixth year in 2024, the Alex Wilcox Classic will once again feature some of the top 16U and 18U programs in the country while also continuing the fight against ovarian cancer.
Here are the basics for the event…
- Event Title: 2024 Alex Wilcox Classic
- Event Location: Sanford, Fla.
- Age Divisions: 16U, 18U
- Format: Four Game Guarantee (into single elimination bracket)
- Dates: June 20-22, 2024
- Event Website: 2024 Alex Wilcox Classic
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Extra Inning Softball caught up with Event Director Will Tomasello to learn more about the Alex Wilcox Classic
How long has the Alex Wilcox Classic been held?
We’re entering our sixth year of hosting the Alex Wilcox Classic
What is the goal of this event in terms of honoring Alex Wilcox?
We continue our support of the Geauxteal Foundation and the Mississippi State endowment scholarship in honor of Alex Wilcox. Our mission is to bring awareness in regards to ovarian cancer
What is the origin of the Alex Wilcox Classic and the history of the event?
The Alex Wilcox Classic started five years ago following the death of Alex from ovarian cancer. With the family’s approval, we wanted to honor her commitment to the sport of softball. Additionally, around the same time, we saw Lindsey Leftwich who was then at LSU wearing a Geauxteal Foundation t-shirt and, in talking with her and learning more about the impact ovarian cancer has on women of all ages, we realized we have the perfect platform to reach hundreds of young girls to bring awareness to this horrible disease. We partnered with Jay Roberson, the T-Bolts 5-Star Classic and Jeremy Higdon with Scenic City to start the first annual Alex Wilcox Classic
In your opinion, what makes the Alex Wilcox Classic such a coveted event to compete in for teams, players and coaches?
In keeping with our upscale hospitality for college coaches, we bring Legacy events to South Florida. All attending college coaches receive complementary catered meals, shaded reserved seating at every field, complementary snacks and beverages as well as on-site charging stations, and amenities such as sunscreen, bug spray, aspirin and more. Our line up of teams provide excellent competition at all levels. We will draw teams from all over the southeast, not just Florida. We have partnered with Seminole County at Soldiers Creek Complex which hosts six fields. The park staff is outstanding in field preparation and, in the event we get weather, they are immediately getting the fields ready for play
What is the format of the tournament and the prizes for those who finish on top?
We’ve adjusted the format to just be 16U and 18U with a four-game guarantee into single elimination. The prize money in each division is $5,000 for first place, $2,500 for second place and complementary entry into the Veterans Tribute Showcase for third place
What is the cost for the Alex Wilcox Classic?
The cost for teams in the 16U and 18U divisions is $1,400 per team
What can families do while at the Alex Wilcox Classic?
We are literally in Disney’s backyard so we offer all of our attending teams discounted tickets to the parks. We are also 45 minutes from the beach
Finally, what else would you like to say about the Alex Wilcox Classic that makes it unique?
We are proud that we have been able to sustain this event with quality teams and college coach attendance. The showcase community is getting flooded with events for teams to choose from. The Alex Wilcox Classic will always be a draw because of the teams and college coaches that attend
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