SPORTS Talk
Industry
Berling-Manuel Joins AYSO
HAWTHORNE, Calif.—Lynn Berling-Manuel has joined American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) as its new chief marketing officer. Berling-Manuel previously was publisher of Soccer America.
In her new position at AYSO, Berling-Manuel will help “develop a strategy that provides the players, and their parents, the opportunity to better connect with the world’s greatest game,” according to a statement released by Berling-Manuel.
AYSO is a nationwide nonprofit organization that “develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs in a fun, family environment based on AYSO’s Five Philosophies.” Currently, AYSO has more than 650,000 players on more than 50,000 teams nationwide.
Central Florida’s Tourism & Sports Marketing Recognized For Newsletter
POLK COUNTY, Fla.—Central Florida’s Tourism and Sports Marketing (CFTSM) recently was named runner-up in the newsletter category of the Red Baron Media Awards, held in conjunction with the Florida Festival & Event Association’s Annual Conference. CFTSM was recognized for its quarterly “Sports Central” newsletter, which is distributed nationally and locally to approximately 5,000 households and sports governing bodies, through local chambers of commerce, at industry and special events, and to participants of sports events held in Polk County.
A PDF version of the “Sports Central” quarterly newsletter is available online at www.centralfloridasports.com.
Greater Louisville Sports Commission Announces Staff Addition
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Greg Fante has joined the Greater Louisville Sports Commission as director of new business development. Fante previously was national sales manager for the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
In his new position with the sports commission, Fante will oversee the bid process for all sports events, help develop sports advisory committees for local sports to help lure regional and national events to Louisville, and assist with event management. In addition, Fante will conduct a comprehensive sports assessment and market study to determine which sports events the commission should bid on in conjunction with the advisory committees, local partners and facility partners.
Ken Griffey Jr. A ’Living Legend’
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory recently presented its first “Living Legend Award” to Cincinnati Reds’ centerfielder Ken Griffey Jr. Outfielder Ken Griffey Sr. presented the award to his son.
Griffey’s “career in baseball and life outside the sport have taken on a legendary quality because of their talents, achievements and personal conduct,” said Anne Jewell, executive director of Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. “The achievements of Cincinnati Reds’ centerfielder Ken Griffey Jr. go far beyond statistics.”
In his 19-year career, Griffey hit 593 home runs and earned a .290 batting average. He is “devoted to his family and is a generous supporter of The Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
Website Offers Training, Nutritional Advice To Athletes
BLOOMINGTON, Minn.—A new website, www.fortismag.com, designed by Minnesota personal trainer Josh Levine offers free training information for athletes aged 15-25. The website includes hundreds of individual workout programs categorized by resistance levels and other strengthening and toning exercises.
Free membership provides athletes with e-mail updates of new programs and nutritional information; in-depth analysis of workouts, programs and exercises; free training-related articles; and free training advice from fortismag.com’s experts. In addition, experts will develop a customized workout program for a one-time fee of $29.95.
Retired NFL Player Organizes Benefit Game For Reality TV Series
ST. LOUIS—Joe Johnson, retired defensive end for the National Football League’s (NFL) New Orleans Saints, is developing a new reality TV series, “Who Still Got It,” that will feature former NFL players competing for a playing spot in a special preseason game to be played in August at the Superdome in New Orleans.
The game will serve as a fundraising event to supplement the pension/disability fund for former NFL players, many of whom are suffering from injuries not covered by the fund, according to a press release by Built 2 Last, the Joe Johnson Foundation. The foundation was created in 1999 to aid in the development of underprivileged youth and communities.
Products
Delta 7 Sports Unveils Arantix Mountain Bike
PAYSON, Utah—The new Arantix Mountain Bike by Delta 7 Sports is the first bicycle to feature the patented IsoTruss carbon fiber and Kevlar spider web-like, open-lattice tube design. The IsoTruss technology and design make Arantix one of the “strongest and lightest mountain bikes in the world,” with a hard-tail (no shock absorbers) frame that weighs only 2.7 pounds, according to company officials.
IsoTruss is a registered trademark of Brigham Young University (BYU). BYU granted an exclusive license to Advanced Composite Solutions, parent company of Delta 7 Sports, to develop products using the IsoTruss technology.
Each mountain bike takes 300 hours to build. Delta 7 Sports plans to build 200 Arantix Mountain Bikes in 2008; frames are also available for individuals interested in custom-building their own bikes.
Events
Indoor Volleyball Tournament Set For March
DENVER—The Colorado Crossroads indoor volleyball tournament will be held March 8-10 and March 14-16 at Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The Colorado Crossroads is one of nine national qualifiers for the USA Junior Olympic Girls’ Volleyball Championships, to be held beginning in June in Dallas.
More than 10,000 girls on approximately 1,100 teams are expected to compete over the two-weekend event.
Kissimmee Gets $1 Million Fishing Tournament
KISSIMMEE, Fla.—FLW Outdoors will launch the 2008 season Feb. 28-March 2 with a $1 million tournament at Lake Toho. The competition is expected to draw a 200-boat field of co-anglers competing for the $125,000 first-place prize.
Weigh-ins will be held at Lake Toho lakefront park and at Silver Spurs Arena, an 8,300-seat facility in the heart of Kissimmee.
Atlanta To Host Big South National Qualifier
ATLANTA—The country’s largest indoor volleyball tournament played in a single venue over a single weekend will take place March 21-23 at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The Big South National Qualifier is expected to draw more than 10,000 girls aged 10-18 on more than 900 teams.
The Big South National Qualifier is one of nine national qualifiers for the USA Junior Olympic Girls’ Volleyball Championships, to be held beginning in June in Denver.
The indoor volleyball tournament in Atlanta is expected to have an economic impact of more than $18 million.
N-Lighten Nebraska 2008 Begins Feb. 1
LINCOLN, Neb.—Nebraska’s statewide wellness program, N-Lighten Nebraska, kicks off its 2008 campaign on Feb. 1. The three-month program is designed to encourage healthy weight loss and physical activity among kids and adults.
Adults can participate on teams of up to 10 people in the Basic Fitness Level and Advanced Fitness Level divisions; registration starts at $15. Kids can participate for free, with teams of up to 30 members. The kids’ program does not include a weight-loss component.
Participants will receive weekly activity and nutrition tips, can log their activity and track their progress on a statewide leader board.
Oregon To Host BMX Nationals
REDMOND, Ore.—The 2008 American Bicycle Association (ABA) BMX Great Northwest Nationals bicycle motocross race will be held at the Hooker Creek Event Center, a 279,000-square-foot, multi-purpose indoor arena, in Redmond, Ore. The event, to be held April 4-6, will be presented by Team BMX Oregon and the Oregon Sports Authority.
ABA is the largest promoter of action sports, with 27 national event races each year.
Annual 10K Set For April 5
CHARLESTON, S.C.—The 31st Annual Cooper River Bridge Run and Walk will be held April 5 in Charleston. Its economic impact is estimated at $25 million annually.
Presenting sponsors for the 2008 race will be Chick-Fil-A and Bi-Lo. Local, regional and national sponsors include The Post and Courier, Principal Financial Group SC Brown Agency, DLO, Verizon Wireless and Aquafina.
Youth
Trips For Kids Celebrates 20 Years
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.—Trips for Kids (TFK) celebrated its 20th anniversary in November 2007 at its annual gala dinner and auction. The auction raised $125,000 for TFK’s youth cycling programs.
More than 200 patrons and celebrity guests, including honorary board member Robin Williams, attended the gala.
TFK is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded to give underserved youth a chance to experience “the joy and challenge of mountain biking while learning valuable life skills and an appreciation for the outdoors.” There are more than 57 TFK chapters across the United States and Canada.
U.S. Youth Soccer Hires Soccer Veteran John Ellinger
FRISCO, Texas—John Ellinger, formerly coach for Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Real Salt Lake expansion team, is now technical director for U.S. Youth Soccer.
In his newly created position as technical director, Ellinger will be responsible for the association’s Technical and Coaching Education Department. He will design and systematically implement player development and coaching education programs to improve the overall standard of youth play in the United States, collaborating with technical and coaching education experts at the state and club levels.”
Venues
Decatur To Host Two Tennis Championships
DECATUR, Ala.—Decatur-Morgan County CVB has announced that the Jimmy Johns Tennis Center at Point Mallard Park in Decatur will host two tennis championships in 2008. The Alabama Community College Conference men’s and women’s tennis state championships will be held April 18-19 and feature eight teams from community colleges across Alabama.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association 6-A Tennis State Championships will be held April 28-May 1 and feature 32 boys’ and girls’ teams from Alabama high schools.
The Jimmy Johns Tennis Center has four clay courts and 14 hard courts, including two indoor courts.
Regional Park Set To Open In March
LINCOLN, Calif.—Foskett Regional Park in Lincoln is scheduled to open with an official dedication in March. The 42-acre park will feature a four-diamond, lighted softball complex; a four-field, lighted soccer complex; a pedestrian and bike path; children’s play areas; concessions; and picnic areas.
Future plans could include an aquatics center.
Hanesbrands Inc. Enters Marketing Alliance With Disney Parks
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—Hanesbrands Inc., including Hanes and Champion consumer product lines, has announced a 10-year strategic alliance with Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Under the agreement, the 9,500-seat ballpark becomes Champion Stadium, and Champion receives brand placement and promotional opportunities throughout Disney’s 220-acre sports complex and Disney’s ESPN Zone restaurants and stores in Anaheim, Calif., Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, New York City and Washington, D.C.
Hanesbrands’ Hanes and Champion apparel lines also receive exclusivity for select apparel at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, and all eight ESPN Zone stores.
In addition, Hanes is the presenting sponsor of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Walt Disney World Resort.
Texas AFA Nationals Agree To Three-Year-Deal At Ford Park
BEAUMONT, Texas—The Texas American Fastpitch Association (AFA) has entered into a three-year agreement to hold its girls’ 18 and under softball nationals at Ford Fields in Beaumont. The first tournament will be July 25-Aug. 3.
Ford Fields is a part of Ford Park Event Center Convention and Entertainment Facilities.