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Fans Suffocated At Soccer Match In Liberia
MONROVIA, Liberia—At least eight people suffocated at an overcrowded stadium in Liberia for a soccer match on June 1, according to a Fox News report. The World Cup qualifying match between Liberia and Gambia was held at the 33,000-seat Samuel K. Doe stadium in Monrovia and was packed beyond capacity. Confusion at the gates ensued when thousands of ticket holders were blocked from entering after others had entered the stadium illegally using fraudulent tickets. United Nations peacekeepers closed the stadium gates more than two hours before the game upon realizing that the stadium was already beyond capacity, but a scuffle at a wing of the stadium caused several people to be crushed, according to the report. Some local sources in the country reported up to 10 deaths.
 
NASC, SGMA Partner To Provide Industry Research
CINCINNATI—The National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) has teamed with the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) to give NASC members access to SGMA research and reports. All NASC members will be granted access to three SGMA reports free of charge per year; additional reports can be purchased at the SGMA member price.

The first of the three reports to be made available is the SGMA 2008 Sports and Fitness Participation Report that includes core and casual participant numbers and trends in a variety of activities and sports from 2006 and 2007. In mid-June, NASC will e-mail members with links to the other two reports, SGMA 2008 State of the Industry report and the SGMA 2008 Sports Participation in America. 

Spokane To Host 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—U.S. Figure Skating (USFS) has selected Spokane, Wash., as the host city for the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, scheduled for Jan. 14-24, 2010. National champions will be crowned in 12 events, including ladies’, men’s, pairs and ice dancing in the senior, junior and novice levels. 

The Spokane Arena, a 10,500-seat, multi-use facility that opened in 1995, will serve as the sole venue for the event. 

Duathlon Worlds To Be Held At NASCAR Venue
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Portland, Maine, will host the 2009 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, scheduled March 3-7, 2009, at the Cumberland County Civic Center. North Atlantic Figure Skating Club will host the event.In addition to being the primary selection event for the World Synchronized Skating Championships, the annual event crowns the U.S. champions in eight levels, including juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior, collegiate, adult and masters.

Disney’s Princess Half-Marathon Weekend To Create ‘Fairytale’ Experience For Runners
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—Disney’s Wide World of Sports has created the new Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend, a new fantasy-filled event designed to bring to life the “princess” in women runners of all ages and abilities. The event is scheduled for March 6-8, 2009, and will include two road races—a fun 5K and a signature 13.1-mile half-marathon through multiple Walt Disney World theme parks—as well as a health and wellness expo tailored for women.

The half-marathon is the latest addition to Disney’s Endurance Series, which gives recreational athletes of all ages and abilities the chance to walk, jog, run, bike and swim their way “around the world” at Disney theme parks.

Tallahassee Sports Council To Host 2009, 2010 Cheerleading Companionships
TALLAHASSE, Fla.—The Tallahassee Sports Council has secured the 2009 and 2010 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Competitive Cheerleading Championships. The championships will be held at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.
The Tallahassee Sports Council and Leon County Schools will serve as hosts for the events. The 2009 championships will take place March 13-14, 2009. The 2010 championships will be March 12-13, 2010. 

Comcast Firecracker 5K To Benefit St. Jude
MEMPHIS, Tenn.—The Raquet Club of Memphis will host the Tenth Annual Comcast Firecracker 5K Run/Walk at 7 p.m. on July 3. The race will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

Event registration will begin at 10 a.m., July 2, and 10 a.m.-7 p.m., July 3.

A post-race pool party will feature entertainment by Jimmy Church Revue.

U.S. To Host 2009 Women’s World Championships
GREENDALE, Wis.—The 2009 World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) Women’s World Championships will be held in Las Vegas. The event will take place on 56 specially constructed lanes inside the Cashman Center following the conclusion of the 2009 U.S. Bowling Congress (USBC) Open Championships.

The WTBA elected the United States to host the event after the previous selection, Australia, withdrew. The Women’s World Championships is tentatively slated for July 25-Aug. 2, 2009. It is expected to feature more than 225 athletes from 43 countries competing in doubles, singles, trios, team, all-events and Masters.

Ozarks To Challenge Triathletes From 12 States
EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark.—Upwards of 200 athletes from at least 12 states will converge on the Ozarks for the 3rd Annual XTERRA Eureka Springs-Off-Road Triathlon and Trail Run, scheduled for 10 a.m., June 7. The triathlon will be staged at the 1,600-acre Lake Leatherwood City Park and will combine a half-mile swim, 13-mile mountain bike race and 5-mile trial run.

The Train Run, a separate 3.5-mile race, will begin at 8 a.m.

U.S. Soccer Development Academy Holds Summer Showcase
CHICAGO—The U.S. Soccer Development Academy will host its Summer Showcase from June 27-30 in Greensboro, N.C. All 62 clubs and a split squad from the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team will play in their final matches before Development Academy Finals Week, which takes place from July 12-19 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Similar to the Spring Showcase, all 126 teams will play three games over the course of the four days at Bryan Park. Each team will play three games across four days of the long weekend, with a rest day on either Saturday or Sunday. 

U.S. Olympic Committee Promotes Two To Managing Directors

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) has promoted Jerri Foehrkolb to managing director, member and event services, and Debra Yoshimura to managing director, audit. The promotions are effectively immediately.

Foehrkolb has been a member of the USOC staff since 1998. In her role with member and event services, she develops and manages games hospitality, special events, meetings and organizational support for the USOC.

Yoshimura came to the USOC in June 2006 as director of audit. She will continue to manage both the long-term and day-to-day operations of all USOC audit functions and evaluate the overall effectiveness of USOC accounting controls and operating practices. She also assists the National Governing Bodies (NGB) in understanding and achieving compliance with USOC requirements.

Sportstiks Named Official Supplier To USA Triathlon
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—USA Triathlon (USAT) has partnered with Sportstiks International to bring additional resources to USAT race directors. As an official supplier to USAT, Sportstiks will offer race directors special pricing on its new-wave self-adhesive race numbers for events. USAT will use Sportstiks race numbers at all USAT events during 2008.

USA Volleyball PTP RED As Official Sponsor
COLORAOD SPRINGS, Colo.—USA Volleyball (USAV) has chosen Prime Time Player Recruiting Enhanced Director (PTP RED) as an official sponsor and sport development partner. PTP RED is owned by Deion Sanders, a retired National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) player. USAV athletes between the ages of 13-19 can log on to the interactive site, www.primetimeplayer.com, and build a sports profile. For a $99 fee, their information will be extracted from the site and placed in a specialized directory that will be sent to more than 500 U.S. colleges and universities.

Casting Call For Singers At U.S. Open
White Plains, N.Y.—The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) is seeking talented kids 12 years of age or younger to audition to sing “America the Beautiful” for a chance to sing during the 2008 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The winner will sing a musical composition selected by the USTA during the 2008 U.S. Open.

Auditions will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. EST, June 9, at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Aqua Zone Provides Fun For Fans During Olympic Team Trails
OMAHA, Neb.—USA Swimming has designed the interactive Aqua Zone for swimming fans attending the 2008 Olympic Trials at the Quest Center in Omaha. Spectators will have the chance to participate in swimming-related activities and to meet swimming legends including Matt Biondi, Donna de Varona, Mary T. Meagher, Debbie Meyer, Pablo Morales, John Naber, Mark Spitz, Mel Steward and Jenny Thompson.

The USA Swimming Aqua Zone will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 28-June 29, and 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.  on July 6.

USOC Establishes June 28 As ‘Olympic Day’
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) will kick off the countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with “Olympic Day” on June 28 at the Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs. The festivities will also celebrate the USOC’s decision to remain in Colorado Springs.

Olympic Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; it will feature athlete autograph sessions, live music, sports demonstrations, information booths and more. The event is free.