The City of Florence will host the NJCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship for the first time at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Tennis Center from May 12–16, 2025. The event will bring 28 of the nation’s top collegiate teams to compete for the national title.
Matches begin Monday at 9 a.m. and continue through the week, concluding with the championship round on Friday. Admission is free and open to the public.
Florence Gymnastics achieved impressive results at the state gymnastics meets in recent weeks.
Congratulations to the following:
1.Xcel Bronze - Rylee P.
SC State All Around Champion
SC State Floor Champion
2.Xcel Bronze - Brecklyn M.
SC State Vault Champion
3.Xcel Silver – Olivia S.
SC State Vault Champion
4.Xcel Silver – Miriam W.
SC State Vault Champion
5.Xcel Silver – Sydney B.
SC State Vault
6.Xcel Gold - Olivia M.
SC State Vault Champion
7.Xcel Gold - Bristolyn M.
SC State Vault Champion
Xcel Regional Qualifier
FLORENCE, SC – The City of Florence is excited to present the Fireworks Over Florence July 4th Celebration at the Florence Soccer Complex (1000 Soccer Way). Join us on Friday, July 4th, for an unforgettable evening featuring a spectacular 20-minute firework show and live music from the Tru-Sol Band! There will be a $5 charge per vehicle at the Florence Soccer Complex, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. There will also be a fun zone for kids to keep the whole family entertained. Music is set to start at 7:00 pm, with fireworks set to start at 9:30 pm. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, but please note that coolers are not allowed.
Mayor Lethonia Barnes shared her excitement for the event, stating: "This is a momentous occasion for our city. We are excited to bring this tradition back and create a celebration that brings our community together in a spectacular way."
Interested in becoming a vendor or sponsor? Contact Tim Wilson, Assistant Director of PRST, at 843-665-3253 or twilson@cityofflorence.com.
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate our nation’s birthday in style!
###
FLORENCE, SC – The City of Florence is thrilled to announce that the 2025 NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Division I Men’s Tennis Championship will be held at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Tennis Center. This will be the first time an NJCAA Championship has been hosted in Florence, South Carolina.
The tournament will take place from May 12-16, 2025, and will feature 170 athletes from 12 different states across the NJCAA. The championship will include three doubles flights and six singles flights of competition.
The Dr. Eddie Floyd Tennis Center, located at 1300 Jennie O'Bryan Ave, features 24 asphalt courts, 6 Har-Tru clay courts, and a 5,000 square-foot activity center with outdoor decking, making it a great venue for this event.
“We’re excited to host this championship in Florence,” said Tim Wilson, Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation, and Sports Tourism. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase our facilities and bring athletes, coaches, and fans together from across the country.”
For more information about the tournament, please visit the official NJCAA website or click here: https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mten/div1/index
###
All proceeds from this event will benefit the Florence Track Club, supporting local athletes and the community.
To ensure t-shirt size, you must register by April 16, 2025.
Have a pup that enjoys running too? Well-socialized dogs under leash control of owners are welcome to join participants at the Flo-Town 5K on Saturday, April 26th! We’ll award the top 3 dogs to cross the finish line!
Follow Line Drive Concert Series on Facebook
FLORENCE, SC – In collaboration with the City of Florence Parks, Recreation, and Sports Tourism Department, Coastal Carolina University’s faculty and graduate students launched a survey to gather community input on ways to enhance the city’s local parks and recreation offerings.
Residents are encouraged to share their ideas and suggestions by completing the brief survey by March 17. As a thank you, participants will have a chance to win one of eight $25 Walmart gift cards.
To take the survey, visit: https://coastalcarolina.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6LSnGRA8d2Wl2uO
The City of Florence is excited to gather feedback to identify community priorities and opportunities to improve its parks and recreation services.
###
The Florence Tennis Association received the South Carolina Parks & Recreation Association’s Community Service award during the Association’s annual meeting at Myrtle Beach on Wednesday, December 18th. FTA Board members Ernie James and Paul Pittman accepted the award on behalf of the 600-member FTA.
The FTA was recognized for its many contributions to the welfare of the Florence community, which include the management of adult and junior leagues, hosting and supporting tournaments, hosting social events for the tennis community, and providing clinics for beginners, intermediates and recreational coaches. The citation also noted FTA support for facilities development, including the construction of the 30-court Dr. Eddie Floyd Tennis Center, and noted the success of the Ron James Youth Tennis Program in bringing tennis to under-served youth. Finally, it pointed out that FTA leaders and members have been exceptionally active in other community organizations like the Sports Council, and that the organization offers numerous activities like Cardio Tennis and Adult Red Ball Tennis that contribute to public health.
The FTA was nominated for this prestigious award by its long-time partner, the Florence Park, Recreation and Sports Tourism Department. For over 30 years, The FTA, the City, and other area tennis providers have worked together to make Florence a major focal point for Southern tennis. Together, they offer a broad array of programs and activities that attract hundreds of beginners, intermediates and advanced players.
Florence tennis generates over $6 Million in tourism revenues each year, almost half of the amount brought in by all sports combined. The Florence Tennis Association hosts four major tournaments annually, attracting over 3,000 out-of-town players to Florence. The two largest events are USTA Adult League State Championships that draw 900 and 1,450 participants each year. Additionally, the FTA organizes the 16-team Boys and Girls Pre-Season High School Tournaments, further contributing to the local economy.
The FTA funds its initiatives through tournament entry fees, member fees, accommodations tax funding, corporate sponsorships, and grants. To date, it has secured over $350,000 in grant money for local tennis development.
The FTA's extensive efforts have garnered significant recognition over the years. It was named USTA Community Tennis Association of the Year in 2007, and USTA Southern CTA of the Year in 2007 and 2021. Additionally, it received the SC CTA of the Year award in 2004, 2007, 2011, and 2021. In 2008, the FTA earned the USTA SC Community Service Award and was acknowledged by the Florence Athletic Hall of Fame for its community service. In 2009, it won the USTA Southern Section Community Service Award. Its Boys and Girls High School Tournaments, established in 2005, were recognized as the 2016 Junior Tournament of the Year by USTA South Carolina. Furthermore, FTA leaders have been invited to present on community development at both state and national levels.
The Florence Track Club hosted a cross-country meet at the Florence Soccer Complex this past Saturday, October 5, 2024. Congratulations to all the medal winners!
