October 31, 2024
HUNTSVILLE, AL – The 2024 Rocket City Classic presented by Akima continued to show Huntsville’s passion for basketball, filling the Von Braun Center’s Propst Arena, as #2 Alabama defeated Memphis, 96-88. In addition to a thrilling game that drew over 6,600 fans, the event generated an impressive $1.2 million in economic impact for the city, furthering Huntsville’s status as a destination for premier sports events.
Beyond the economic boost, the Rocket City Classic left a lasting impact on the community and supported valuable programs through a strong partnership with the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.
“Thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors, fans, and community partners, we were able to make a meaningful impact for both our city and the Huntsville Hospital Foundation,” said Mark Russell, Executive Director of the Huntsville Sports Commission. “Having personally experienced the life-saving importance of AEDs after a cardiac event, this effort goes beyond basketball for me—it’s about giving back to the people and causes that make Huntsville stronger and safer.”
Highlights from this year’s Rocket City Classic include:
Alabama Men’s Basketball Visits Huntsville Hospital: Members of the Crimson Tide team visited patients at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children, bringing joy and encouragement to young patients and their families.
$50,000 Donation to Heartbeat Heroes: A contribution of $50,000 was made to the Heartbeat Heroes program with the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, funding the purchase of 25 new AED devices to be deployed across the city, enhancing public safety and emergency response.
US Army Enlistment Ceremony: The event included an enlistment ceremony honoring 24 new enlistees into the U.S. Army, celebrating their commitment to serve.
FBI Appreciation Night: As part of a special recognition, 200 tickets were provided to members of the FBI at Redstone Arsenal, thanking them for their service and contributions to the Huntsville community.
Significant Economic Impact: The Classic generated $1.2 million in economic impact, benefiting local businesses, hospitality partners, and the broader Huntsville community.
Record Attendance: The game drew a crowd of 6,652 fans to the Von Braun Center’s Propst Arena, showcasing Huntsville on a national stage via ESPN+ and highlighting the city as a thriving sports destination.
“Huntsville is a basketball city, and our community showed that again on Monday night,” said Joel Lamp, Sports Development Manager for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It was exciting to have what felt like a second round NCAA Tournament game in the VBC to start the college basketball season. Thanks to all our partners and sponsors, the impact of this game is going to be felt well beyond the court for a long time to come.”
The Rocket City Classic continues to grow as a key annual event, bringing high-level college basketball to Huntsville while making a positive difference through sports tourism and community-focused initiatives.
For more information on the Rocket City Classic and upcoming events in Huntsville please visit www.huntsvillesports.com.
You can find photos from the 2024 Rocket City Classic HERE. Credit: Huntsville Sports Commission
###
The Huntsville Sports Commission is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), organization that promotes and enhances the quality of life in Huntsville by identifying, recruiting, promoting and staging sports events and meetings. For more information, contact Brooke Izzo Shaughnessy, Director of Marketing & Communications, 256-883-3769, brooke.izzo@huntsvilleal.gov.