Written by Amanda Coers – In his first week on the job, Roland Soto is already stepping up to the plate as Brownwood’s new Sports Coordinator.

“I’m reaching out to local sports association presidents, meeting with them, and partnering with the work that they’ve done already and seeing how we can be of service to them,” said Soto, hoping to bring crowds to Brownwood’s new sport complexes.

“That was one of the first things I noticed when we moved back to Brownwood was the really great facilities that we have here now,” said Soto. As the Sports Coordinator for the city, Soto will work to bring tournaments and other events to The Bert V Massey II Sports Complex – both the softball and baseball facilities, the Brownwood Soccer Complex, the Brownwood Coliseum, Gordon Wood Stadium, the Pecan Bayou Paddling Trail, the Bennie Houston Recreation Center, the Camp Bowie Recreation Center, the Camp Bowie Family Aquatic Center, the new skateboard park, the disc golf course at Riverside Park, and other parks and recreational facilities.

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“Right now I’m researching area basketball tournaments, and looking at dates that could work. Our local coaches have some big ideas, and it’s really exciting,” said Soto.

With the recent boom of new hotels and restaurants in the area, coupled with a solid history of athletics, Brownwood is poised to be a big draw for sporting events.

“One of the things we’ll be talking about when we go out and meet with these different associations is that we do have the hotel capacity, and the restaurants will play a huge role in that as well,” Soto explained. “And truly those big events are what we want to focus on because they will pour into the local economy. And I would count those as wins.”

Mr. Soto will coordinate sporting events and tournaments with the City Parks and Recreation Department, Brownwood Chamber of Commerce, local and external sports organizations, and other involved organizations to ensure successful events that will market Brownwood as an excellent location for sports events and tournaments of all kinds.

“Sports has always been a huge deal in Brownwood,” said Soto. “The community has a tremendous vision for the future of these great facilities we have here now.”