Sports Talk
Industry
New York City Sports Commission Integrates With NYC & Co.
NEW YORK—New York City Sports Commission has joined with NYC & Co., the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the city of New York. The integration brings all of the city’s sports and event marketing functions together to streamline and maximize tourism, marketing and partnership opportunities throughout New York’s five boroughs.
The placement of the sports commission’s services under NYC & Co.’s umbrella will allow it to enhance the level of support and services in the sports community that it has been historically known for, including venue coordination; communications, strategy and media reations; and working with the Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management to facilitate permitting and coordination of interagency safety and security plans.
NYC & Co. will continue to operate under the leadership of CEO George Fertitta, with Ken Podziba maintaining his title and responsibilities as sports commissioner.
Coastal Texas CVB Names New Communications Director
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas—The Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has welcomed Michelle D. Horine as the new communications director. Horine will assist in all aspects of the CVB’s communications and public relations programs under the direction of CEO/President Keith Arnold. Her focus will be on building the local awareness of the CVB and the marketing of Corpus Christi to regional, state and national audiences.
Youth
Coach Authors Book For Student-Athletes
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—A new book, “Everyone Hates a Ball Hog but They All Love a Scorer: The Complete Guide to Scoring Points On and Off the Basketball Court,” is geared toward helping young basketball players reach their potential through 16 inspirational lessons that reinforce the fundamentals and theories of the game. Author Koran Godwin, a teacher, high school basketball coach and all-time leading scorer of the University of North Florida’s men’s basketball team, backs each lesson with a personal experience so that young basketball players today can understand the theories and apply them to their game.
Oswego Hosts 23rd Annual Mites Invitational
OSWEGO, N.Y.—The Oswego Minor Hockey Association will host the 23rd Annual Mites Invitational Tournament, Feb. 20-22, at the Crisafulli Ice Rink located at the historic Fort Ontario in Oswego, N.Y.
The tournament will host at least 20 mite teams (boys and girls age 6-9) from Canada and the Central New York area.
A raffle fundraiser will help offset ice time and equipment purchases for the Oswego children’s hockey program.
Kohl’s US Youth Soccer American Cup Kicks Off
FRISCO, Texas— The Kohl’s US Youth Soccer American Cup tour will kick off Feb. 28 in Muskogee, Okla. The tour will travel to more than 70 locations and will feature tents, banners and premium items. In addition, the Kohl’s American Cup Soccer Experience Vehicle will be featured at most locations. The vehicle comes complete with three larger-than-life inflatable soccer games, prizes and souvenirs for players and their families to create a “fun, family-like atmosphere for thousands of recreational soccer players and their families.”
The complete tour schedule is available at www.usyouthsoccer.org.
Events
Cyclo-Cross National Championships Headed To Oregon In 2009, 2010
BEND, Ore.—USA Cycling has awarded the 2009 and 2010 Cyclo-Cross National Championships to Bend, Ore. The announcement comes after a recent site inspection and city tour by USA Cycling National Events Manager Tom Vinson. The championships were last held in Oregon in 2004; Portland hosted the championships in 2003 and 2004.
The 2009 championships are tentatively set for Dec. 10-13, and 2010 on Dec. 9-12.
With 34 national titles on the line, the Cyclo-Cross National Championships are expected to attract more than 2,000 competitors and 3,500-4,500 visitors (including support staff, families and media) to Bend over four days of racing for each year’s event.
Richmond To Debut New Fitness Walk In May
RICHMOND, Va.—Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will debut a new fitness walk, the “Anthem Stride Through Time,” May 30 in Richmond. The un-timed walk is owned and operated by the Sports Backers.
The walk will combine fitness with local history, as the course will pass such historic sites as the American Civil War Center at Tredegar, the Virginia state capitol and other sites. Music, living history and street exhibitions will be featured along the course.
Bowling Tournament In Green Bay Through May
GREEN BAY, Wis.—Approximately 10,000 bowlers are expected to visit Green Bay for the Wisconsin State USBC (U.S. Bowling Congress) Bowling Association Tournament. The tournament, which began in January, will run for 17 weekends until May 10.
The area hosted the event previously in 1999.
Riviera Lanes in Green Bay and Pro Bowl in Suamico are hosting the open tournament; team events are being held at Riviera, with singles/doubles at Pro Bowl.
The Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the eco-nomic impact of the 17-week tournament will be more than $4 million.
The 2010 Women’s State Bowling Tournament will be held in Green Bay as well.
Triangle Aquatic Center To Host National Black Heritage Championship
CARY, N.C.—The North Carolina Aquablazers Swim Team will host the 7th Annual National Black Heritage Championship Swim Meet May 23-24 at the Triangle Aquatic Center (TAC). Thirty teams and more than 600 swimmers are expected.
The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau will serve as host partner for the event. Direct visitor spending is expected to generate approximately $500,000 in economic impact.
The move to TAC coincides with its recent partnership with USA Swimming’s “Make a Splash Program” and the organization’s efforts to improve minority swim statistics and reduce drowning deaths nationwide. Olympian Maritza Corriea, the first African-American woman to join the USA Olympic Team, will participate in swimming clinics.
Venues
New Special Olympics Headquarters To Include Training Center
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Plans call for constructing the Special Olympics Missouri headquarters on 11 acres off Bonne Femme Church Road, west of Hwy. 63, in Columbia within five years. The facility would include administrative offices, conference rooms for training volunteers, and athletic facilities for training Special Olympics athletes.
Soccer Field Planned For Southern New York
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y.—The Mount Vernon board of legislators voted in January to approve a $1.3 million bond act for the design of the new $12.7 Memorial Field, which is still in the planning and approval stages. The field would include a synthetic turf football and soccer field; a natural turf soccer field; grandstands for 4,000 spectators; an all-weather track; a basketball court; and buildings to house a ticket booth, a concession stand, bathrooms, a press box and locker rooms.
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Pocono Raceway |
Pocono Mountains Hosts Top Sporting Events
POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pa.—The Pocono Mountains region of northeastern Pennsylvania will host a number of sporting events in 2009, including the Annual Pocono Mountains Run for the Red Marathon on May 17. The event will include a Run for the Red Fun Run and 5K.
Other events will include the Pocono 500 Sprint Cup Race Weekend, June 5-7, and the Pennsylvania 500 Sprint Cup Race Weekend, July 31-Aug. 2, both at the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway.
Bobby Lackey Stadium Begins Expansion
WESLACO, Texas—Expansion to Bobby Lackey Stadium is under way to bring an additional 6,000-7,000 seats. The seating is expected for completion by the summer. In addition, a new, larger press box is expected to be constructed by the fall.