< Previous58COASTAL BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDEMove to Corpus Christi and enjoy the sights and sounds of pro sports teams.SPORTSn Corpus Christi, leaders of profes-sional sports franchises are banking on a groundswell of fan support as they build winning teams.Look no farther than the Corpus Christi Hooks, the AA affiliate minor league team of the Houston Astros. Founded in Corpus Christi in 2005, the Hooks play all their home games at Whataburger Field and were recently named the Texas League Organization of the Year for the third time in the past decade.“The Hooks go back to 2005 when the Round Rock Express was moved to Corpus Christi,” says Michael Coffin, media relations director for the Hooks. “The team has been a staple of the sum-mers in the Coastal Bend ever since.”Now owned and operated by the Houston Astros, the ballclub was ac-quired from the Ryan Sanders Baseball group in 2013 and has seen a renaissance both on and off the field.“We have added a new scoreboard and we are redoing the Cotton Club,” says Coffin. “We host as many high school games and other special events as we can. We try to show off this waterfront ballpark. And our lease was Iby RON STARNER e Hooks are Corpus Christi’s highly successful minor league baseball team.on SportsHow to getCOASTAL BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 59extended to 2034, so we are here to stay.”Whataburger Field, which opened in 2005, has served as a catalyst for downtown redevelopment. “This has become the entertainment epicenter of the Coastal Bend,” Coffin notes. “That has played into the development of downtown Corpus Christi as well.”Baseball fans are loving what they see on the di-amond in Corpus Christi too. The Hooks produced 10 players who went on to play for the World Series champion Astros in 2017. And while the stadium seating capacity is 5,500, with extended berm area seating, the club can pack as many as 10,000 fans into the park.“We broke an all-time attendance record this past year when we gave out replica World Series rings,” says Coffin. “We average around 5,000 fans per night. Our goals are to grow the game of base-ball, make a positive difference in the community, and create a unique and memorable experience for our fans. We want people to feel like they are com-ing home.”Reid Ryan is president of business operations for the Houston Astros and helps oversee the club. His famous father, Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, serves as special assistant to the Astros’ general manager and makes frequent visits to Corpus Christi to scout talent.“Baseball really becomes a family, and that is what we are all about at the Hooks,” says Coffin.Soccer is part of the sports family in the region as well, with the newly formed Corpus Christi Football Club playing its home matches at the Dr. Jack Dugan Family Soccer & Track Stadium at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.Launched in 2017, the club competes in the USL Division II league of American professional soccer and is quickly attract-ing its own core following. Known as the Sharks, the club was awarded an expansion franchise for the Coastal Bend Region by the USL-PDF on October 23.“We want to provide our city and region with a world-class soccer experience by showcasing a premium level of sports entertain-ment and fostering engagement within a passionate and hard-working community,” the club said.Together with the local Ice Rays hockey team and multiple collegiate sports teams at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the Coastal Bend offers something for virtually every type of sports fan. “Our goals are to grow the game of baseball, make a positive di erence in the community, and create a unique and memorable experience for our fans. We want people to feel like they are coming home.”– Michael Co n, Media Relations Director, Corpus Christi HooksCorpus Christi FC is a USL2 team with a strong fan following.60 COASTAL BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDEby SAVANNAH KINGQUALITY OF LIFE Corpus Christi bike ride.PHOTO COURTESY OF CCREDCCOASTAL BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 61rom the beautiful Gulf Coast to the region’s parks, stadiums and cultural amenities, the Coastal Bend lifestyle is truly unique. Over the years, Corpus Christi and neighboring communities have earned high marks in national rankings. In 2018, Corpus Christi was ranked No.42 in Wallet Hub’s Best Cities to Live ranking, it was also ranked as one of the best places to raise a family. In 2016, Wallet Hub gave the city the No. 10 spot on its Best Cities to State a Career list and No. 43 on its list of Best Cities to Find a Job. Home to the Naval Air Station of Corpus Christi and one of the largest ports in the nation, the region is a magnet for industry and high-paying jobs. Outside of the ample professional opportunities in the region, residents also enjoy the benefit of a lower-than-average cost of living. Housing costs in communities like Corpus Christi, Rockport, Ingleside, Port Aransas, Robstown, Aransas Pass and Portland are lower than the national average. They also enjoy a shorter commute — just 21 minutes on average.Education has always been a top priority in the Corpus Christi region and boasts a strong educational system from its elementary schools to colleges. The region has 19 independent school districts — all of which have been designated as exemplary campuses based on reading, writing and mathematics by The Texas Education Agency.When the good folks of Coastal Bend aren’t basking in the sun and warm gulf breeze, they’re visiting the region’s many attractions. Some of the most popular tourist attractions include the Texas State Aquarium, the F62 COASTAL BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDEUSS Lexington Museum on the Bay, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History and the Art Museum of South Texas.Beach combers find their fill of sun, sand and sea at the area’s beautiful beaches. Mustang Island, Padre Island and Big Shell Beach are among the most visited beaches. McGee Beach is located on the downtown seawall and makes a perfect beach for families with young children. Fishermen are often found with their latest catch along the jetties. Downtown Corpus Christi offers beautiful views of the bayfront, an arts district, and marina. Several new apartment buildings and housing developments downtown and uptown allow residents the opportunity to live in the heart of the city. One of the more anticipated new developments is taking place at the historic 600 Building in Corpus Christ. The sixth-tallest tower in Corpus Christi (248 feet tall) was recently purchased by New Orleans-based Wisznia Architecture and Development to be transformed into a 131-unit multi-family apartment complex. The development will comply with state and federal historic regulations. The Sports, Entertainment and Arts District (SEA District) is located on the southern edge of the Corpus Christi ship channel and is home to the Art Museum of South Texas, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, Concrete Street Amphitheater and Hurricane Alley Waterpark. The SEA District is the place to be for sports. Baseball fans can catch the Hooks play a game at Whataburger Field, while hockey fans watch the Corpus Christi IceRays play. Regardless of where residents find themselves in life — from grade school to retirement — Coastal Bend offers a unique and enjoyable coastal lifestyle. Skateboarder at a local skate park in Corpus Christi.PHOTO BY CARMYN SUZOR64 COASTAL BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDEPHOTO GALLERYCOASTAL BEND CALLINGCOASTAL BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 65 CALLINGABOVE:Corpus Christi water front skyline. PHOTO COURTESY OF CCREDCFAR LEFT:One of the many great spots to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the views.LEFT:Corpus Christi marina and palms at sunset.PHOTOS BY HEATHER OVERMAN66 COASTAL BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDECOASTAL BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 67FACING PAGE TOP:Harbor Bridge at nightfall.FACING PAGE BOTTOM:Shrimping.LEFT:Mirador de la Flor or “Lookout of the Flower” monument to famed Tejano singer Selena.ABOVE:There’s no shortage of sun and palm trees.PHOTOS BY CARMYN SUZORNext >