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Alvy Early Memorial Classic returns to Bentonville
Visit Bentonville partners with University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team for annual NCAA/Division II tournament
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (Feb 3, 2025) — The Alvy Early Memorial Classic will return to Bentonville, Ark. Feb. 7-9, bringing together top collegiate softball players from across the country.
The Alvy Early Memorial Classic will be hosted at Memorial Park, located at 401 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. Through a partnership between Visit Bentonville and the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s Blossoms softball team, led by UAM head coach Kyle Lem, the event will host 21 teams from seven states, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa and Texas. With more than 400 athletes expected to compete, the tournament is a testament to Bentonville’s reputation as a premier outdoor sports destination.
“We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding teams to Bentonville once again,” said Amy Springer, sports sales manager at Visit Bentonville. “These types of events bring immense value to the region. We look forward to an exciting weekend of softball and the opportunity to welcome both new and returning visitors to the city.”
This marks the 14th year the city has hosted the tournament, and in 2024, it generated a $259K economic impact.
The Alvy Early Memorial Classic is open to the public, with a minimal gate fee that directly supports the Bentonville High School softball program. Fans unable to attend in person can watch the competition live on the team’s official social media pages.
For more information on the Alvy Early Memorial Classic, visit VisitBentonville.com.
About Visit Bentonville
Visit Bentonville is funded by the Bentonville Advertising and Promotion Commission which was established in 1996. The commission is supported by a 2% tax on lodging and meeting space and a 1% tax on restaurant and dining establishments. The organization's mission is to promote Bentonville as a vibrant experience for all, enhancing the quality of life and stimulating economic development that will strengthen our local economy. Visit Bentonville leads the planning of sports, meetings and group tours while also marketing leisure experiences that include arts, cycling, culinary, film, music and aviation. Visit Bentonville also collaborates with tourism offices throughout the state of Arkansas to create positive economic impact while increasing tourism amenities for both visitors and residents. For more information, please visit VisitBentonville.com.
About Alvy Early
Alvy Early stands as one of Arkansas's most distinguished collegiate coaches, building his legacy at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM). A former three-sport athlete at Arkansas A&M, Early became UAM's winningest coach across two sports. In women's basketball, he accumulated a 425-211 record over 21 seasons, including four conference titles and a 1990 NAIA finals appearance. As softball coach from 1997 onwards, he led the program to multiple championships in both the Gulf South Conference and Great American Conference, earning GSC West Division Coach of the Decade honors (2000-10). His exceptional impact on UAM athletics led to his Hall of Fame induction in 2012, with the committee waiving the standard five-year separation rule in recognition of his extraordinary contributions. Early passed away in June of 2018, and this tournament was renamed in 2019 to honor his extraordinary legacy as one of Arkansas's most accomplished collegiate coaches. At the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Early built powerhouse programs in both women's basketball and softball. The tournament celebrates his dedication to advancing women's collegiate sports and his impact on generations of student athletes. Hosted by UAM's Blossoms softball team in partnership with Visit Bentonville, this annual tournament continues Early's tradition of excellence while providing a competitive platform for collegiate softball programs to compete in Northwest Arkansas.