Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Teams, representatives and fans from the Sun Belt are making their way toward Hot Springs this weekend for one of the few conference tournaments in the country that feature both its men's and women's teams competing for title championships at the same location. From tomorrow's noon tipoff of the women's teams from Western Kentucky and North Texas to the final men's championship game on Tuesday (to be broadcast on ESPN2), Hot Springs will be the center of attention for the New Orleans-based D-1 conference.

As we've said before when Summit Arena was announced as the host facility for the tournament until at least 2014, Hot Springs uses the tournaments as its marquee event each March, showcasing the arena and Hot Springs Convention Center to highlight the area's other charms. Visitors come for the games featuring Florida Atlantic and Middle Tennessee State, but find themselves also enjoying the lakes, Central Avenue and the general playful mood of Bill Clinton's hometown. It's also rather fortunate for the visitors that the only other sport really competing with any March Madness is the racing at Oaklawn Jockey Club.

For any visitors looking for more things to do in Hot Springs, check out the one of our sibling publications, the  2011 Hot Springs Guest Guide for some ideas.

On Friday, pep bands, fans, food and fun will line Hot Springs' famous Bath House Row, kicking off the tournament with the annual Pep Band Spectacular. The concert is free and open to the public. The event - which starts at 6 p.m. at Hill Wheatley Plaza - will feature several hundred musicians blasting fight songs as fans are also treated to entertainment from dance squads and mascots from Sun Belt Conference member institutions.

Additionally, the Spa City Blues Society will serve as sponsors to the event and the group will take center stage to close out the evening.

This will be the fourth year of the event that has become an annual tradition for the eve of the Basketball Championship. Here's to the out-of-towners (including those visitors from Pulaski and Craighead Counties) having a good time and enjoying some great hoops.