Industry
BASS Pro-Fizz Supports Fish Conservation
CELEBRATION, Fla.—BASS and Team Marine USA LLC have released the BASS Pro-Fizz FZ-1 tool, which is used to remove air from the swim bladder of fish typically caught at depths greater than 18 feet. The Pro-Fizz tool enhances the process of fizzing, a technique recommended on fish that show signs of over-inflated swim bladders and that is beneficial for improving the post-release survival of bass and promotes fish conservation, according to BASS officials.
Youth
Wide World Of Sports Complex To Host Inaugural ESPN RISE Games
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—ESPN RISE and Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex have developed a new multi-sport event called the ESPN RISE Games. Presented by Target. the ESPN RISE Games will be July 19-25 at the sports complex. Other sponsors include Champion, Under Armour and POWERADE.
The ESPN RISE Games will be anchored by three high school sports events: the AAU 17U Boys’ Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion, Under Armour High School Softball All-American Game and ESPN RISE’s “elite” Champion Gridiron Kings high school football event. The week-long event also will feature competitive channel youth sports—baseball, basketball, field hockey, and track and field.
The ESPN RISE Games reflects the ESPN re-branding of the sports complex to create a “one-of-a-kind, immersive experience” for athletes and fans.
Summit Will Address Youth Sports In Phoenix
PHOENIX—The Phoenix Regional Sports Commission will hold a Youth Sports Summit Aug. 6 at Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. The event, sponsored by APS, is intended to bring together community leaders, sports administrators, coaches and parents for outlining specific areas of need in local youth sports programs. Registration for the Youth Sports Summit is complimentary.
Fort Worth To Host 2010 US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop
FRISCO, Texas—US Youth Soccer has announced that the 2010 US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop will be Feb. 25-27, 2010, in Fort Worth. The workshop will be held at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
More than 3,000 soccer coaches, administrators, referees and enthusiasts are expected to attend the annual convention, which will feature educational sessions, field demonstrations for coaches, and an exhibit hall showcasing the latest soccer equipment, technology, apparel, fundraising ideas and more. In addition, the workshop will showcase the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, including Recreational and Competitive Coach of the Year, Excellence in Coaching Education, Administrator and Volunteer of the Year, among others.
Events
USA Hockey Selected To Host 2010 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has selected USA Hockey to host the 2010 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship. The tentative dates for the championship are March 27-April 3, 2010.
The event began in 2008. The United States won the gold medal at the first two IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, in 2008 and 2009.
USA Hockey also hosted the 2009 IIHF World Men’s U18 Championship earlier this year in Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn. The U.S. team beat Russia 5-0 for the gold medal.
Spirit Team To Return For Three More Years
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—Varsity Spirit Corp.’s Spirit Team has entered into a three-year agreement with the Ocean Center. The Volusia County facility will host the 2010, 2011 and 2012 State Cheer and Dance Championships of Florida. Approximately 8,000 competitors and 5,500 supporters and spectators are expected at the championships each year.
Spirit Team events bring an estimated economic impact of $6.3 million to the community, according to local tourism officials.
USBC Convention, Bowl Expo Scheduled For 2011
ARLINGTON, Texas—For the first time, the U.S. Bowling Congress (USBC) Convention and International Bowl Expo will be held the same week in the same city. Both events are scheduled for June 27-July 2, 2011, at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine.
Organizers for both events said they expect “significant” cost savings and efficiencies by moving their events to the same time and location.
A tentative schedule has the International Bowl Expo general session and trade show, along with the USBC workshops, mid-week. The USBC annual meeting would be at the end of the week. USBC delegates are invited to attend the International Bowl Expo trade show and general session at no charge; some seminars and special events, however, will have admission charges.
USSSA Soccer Nationals To Kick Off In December In Round Rock
ROUND ROCK, Texas—The U.S. Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) has selected Round Rock as the host city for the 2009 USSSA National Soccer Tournament. Round Rock was chosen because of its central location and ability to attract more teams, organizers said.
The tournament, featuring youth, adult and 7-on-7 divisions, will be held Dec. 4-6 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
Ironman Adds Utah Event To Series
ST. GEORGE, Utah—The World Triathlon Corp. has named St. George as a host city for its newest Ironman event beginning in 2010. The new St. George event will consist of a 2.4-mile swim in Sand Hollow Reservoir, a 112-mile bike through Snow Canyon and downtown, and a 26.2-mile run on a two-loop marathon course beginning at historic Town Square, winding through Pioneer Park and finishing at Heritage Tower, according to event officials.
The St. George event will feature 65 qualifying slots to the 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and a $50,000 purse for the top male and female finishers.
Venues
UA Expands Football Building
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— The University of Alabama’s Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility Football Building has opened a new “state-of-the-art,” 20,000-square-foot strength and conditioning center, new coaches’ offices, a player’s lounge, recruiting room and team meeting rooms, according to school officials. The existing building has been fully renovated and includes a brand-new locker room and modern rehabilitation center, meeting rooms and offices. In addition, the Hall of Champions highlights some of the university’s top players, coaches and championship teams.
Shields Memorial Gym Renovations Set
SEYMOUR, Ind.—The Seymour Park and Recreation Dept. is working in conjunction with the Cars and Guitars Committee in a fundraising effort to erect a new play area at Shields Park. The new play area will feature equipment that is user-friendly for both physically and/or mentally challenged adolescents.
The 12.5-acre park is located in the northeast section of town at 6th Street and Broadway. Shields Park has two lighted baseball/softball diamonds, horseshoe pits, basketball/volleyball courts, a shelter house with electrical service, picnic areas, playground, three concession areas, ADA accessible bathrooms, maintenance area and the Shields Park Pool.
New Orleans Plans City Park Golf Complex
NEW ORLEANS—The City of New Orleans has initiated plans for an 18-hole golf course, renovations to an existing course, a clubhouse, a driving range, a range clubhouse and a maintenance facility.
The City Park Board has added the project to its master plan, but has placed Phase II of the project, which would cost about $21.5 million, on hold.
The project will be funded by $5.9 million in FEMA reimbursements, $9.65 million from state capital outlays and $9 million in private donations to be collected by the Bayou District Foundation. The commission is accepting proposals for a cooperative endeavor agreement for the project and expects to open construction bidding within three months.
Governing Bodies
First Anti-Doping Grant Awarded
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The Partnership for Clean Competition (PCC) has awarded its first anti-doping research grant since the research collaborative was formed in 2008 by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Major League Baseball and the National Football League. The recipient of the $500,000 grant is J. Thomas Brenna, Ph.D., of Cornell University, for his grant proposal titled, “Characterization of the Human Urinary Steroidome for Anti-Doping Applications.”
The Brenna research aims to define the steroid profile in urine testing using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry. This should allow detection of synthetic anabolic steroids, including designer steroids.
Bow Down Training To Train US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics
PORTSMOUTH, R.I.—Bow Down Training has signed an agreement to become the official physical trainer of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics (USTAG). AlphaGraphics consists of 66 athletes who are training for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Weymouth, UK. Bow Down Training is geared specifically toward sailor athletes.
In other news, US Sailing and the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association have partnered to develop a program that provides college sailors with an opportunity to become US Sailing members at a special discount rate. US Sailing’s College Pass is now a full membership designed to provide support for collegiate sailing in the U.S.
