Spokane Bids to Host 2010 NCAA DI Football Championship Game

EWU & SRSC partner in effort to bring college football back to Albi Stadium

The Spokane Regional Sports Commission and Eastern Washington University have submitted a 3-year bid to host the NCAA DI National Football Championship Game for years 2011, 2012, & 2013. If awarded, the games will be hosted at Joe Albi Stadium, ushering in the return of college football to this historic Spokane stadium. Reflecting a new date, the Championship will be played on the first Friday of January prior to the BCS Championship game.  The SRSC estimates an economic impact of $4.7 million generated for the region each year, with the games also being televised live on ESPN.

"Fans in Spokane will remember when Joe Albi Stadium hosted Washington State University and Eastern Washington University football games. We see this event as an opportunity to help restore Joe Albi Stadium to the facility it once was, and to sellout one of the most prestigious NCAA national football events in Spokane," says Eric Sawyer, Executive Director of the Spokane Regional Sports Commission.

With the support of the Spokane Regional Sports Commission, Eastern Washington University will be the host institution in the bidding process with the NCAA.   Chattanooga, Tennessee has been the host city for the NCAA DI National Championship Game (formerly called the NCAA DI AA Football Championship) for the past 10 years, and will again host this year's championship game December 18, 2009.

Best Ball Classic in the books

2009 tournament bigger, better, and breezier than ever

A record number of players convened at Circling Raven Golf Club on September 26th & 27th to play in the 5th Annual Spokane Regional Sports Commission Best Ball Classic. The weather was great for the late September weekend, although some fierce winds on Saturday made for a mix of scores from the teams for the day. Overall the event was a huge success, especially for the winners...featuring a mix of familiar names and first time players.  CLICK HERE to view the results and pictures from the 2009 Best Ball Classic.

Thank you to all the players, especially those who have joined us year after year.  Our fantastic event is only possible with fantastic golfers, and we appreicate the overwhelming support that has sold out the Best Ball Classic the last three years running.   

A special thank you as well to this year's sponsors who helped us raise a record amount of money to support the Athletic Achievement Grant Program - preliminary numbers show upwards of $13,000! This money is granted by the Sports Commission to qualifying athletes, teams, and coaches to provide them with financial assistance when traveling to compete at the next level. So far this year, seven grants have been awarded sending local athletes to national track & field, volleyball, and soccer competitions just to name a few.

Presented by
Coeur d'Alene Casino

Tee Prize Sponsor
Nike Golf

Reception & Awards Sponsor
Rosauers

Beverage Sponsor
MillerCoors

Hole-in-One Sponsor
Pawn 1

2009 Hole Sponsors
Avista
Banner Bank
Best Western Peppertree
Brett Sports: Spokane Indians & Spokane Chiefs
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
Haskins Steel Co. Inc.
L & M Trucking
Lilac Bloomsday Association
Mackin & Little Inc. / Chimney Rock Mortgage
Maxey Law Offices
Mullin, Cronin, Casey and Blair
Rockwood Clinic
Spokane Hoopfest
Spokane Riverhawks

Regional Cross Country Championships @ Plantes Ferry

USATF event merges Junior Olympic, Open, & Masters races

The 2009 USA Track & Field Region 13 Junior Olympic Open & Masters Cross Country Championships will bring runners of all ages together for one full day of running. The meet will be held on Saturday, November 21st with over 1,000 athletes expected to compete at Plantes Ferry Park in the Spokane Valley. The Junior Olympic races serve as national qualifiers, advancing runners to the Junior Olympic National Championships in December. The youth competitors at this event must qualify and register at the USATF Inland Northwest Association meet on November 14th. Open and masters competitors may CLICK HERE to register online.

Inland Northwest Track & Field joined forces with the Spokane Regional Sports Commission to tackle the new, expanded format of this event.  The local USATF Association has partnered with the SRSC in the past, hosting the 2006 Junior Olympic Cross Country National Championships, also at Plantes Ferry Park.

Cheney to vote on 50 Acre Park Bond

Proposed plan would rebuild community center & develop play fields

In 1997, the City of Cheney acquired 50 acres of land on the corner of Betz Road and Washington Street. The land has been slated for the development of a 50 acre park and a Community Center for Cheney's citizens. Cheney, like many communities in our region, is experiencing a demand from youth and club sports for play fields and open space that cannot be met by their current inventory.  

Citizens of Cheney will vote this November on Proposition 1 - Park & Community Center Bond that, if approved, will fund the City's proposed 50 Acre Park & Community Center plan.  The plan will not only address the need for additional fields, but will also build a new community center to replace the Wren Pierson Community Center that was closed after damage was sustained to the building this last winter. CLICK HERE to read more about the City of Cheney's plan for the 50 Acre Park & Community Center. You can also visit the YES for Parks! campaign website at www.50acrepark.com to learn more about support for Proposition 1.

Partners' Corner

Spokane Hoopfest October Update
Did you know the Spokane Hoopfest Association is also home to Spokane AAU Basketball and the Midnight Basketball Association programs?  Spokane AAU celebrates its 21st anniversary this year, providing the best in competitive basketball for girls and boys in grades four through eight.  For more information on AAU programs, visit www.spokaneaau.com.
 
In its 10th year, the Midnight Basketball Association is a collaboration between Spokane School District 81, Communities in Schools, Camp Fire USA , the Spokesman-Review and Spokane Hoopfest Association to provide a free basketball program for 5 weeks every year.  Three-hundred boys and girls in grades 6, 7 & 8 hear a positive message and play 3-on-3 basketball every Saturday with volunteer coaches and court monitors at Rogers High School for four weeks in October.   
 
Hoopfest is less than 250 days away and it's time to reserve your court sponsorship!  Hoopfest court sponsors help provide the foundation for the world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament for 6,725 teams, 26,656 players and 200,000 fans!  For more information CLICK HERE or contact Kirstin@spokanehoopfest.net.

Rockwood Clinic October Update:  Have an Active Autumn!
Just because it is cooler and the daylight hours are shrinking, you can still enjoy outdoor activities. On warmer and sunnier days, layer up and consider hiking or biking the many trails in our local parks and recreation areas. With darkness a concern in the morning and evening hours, be sure to wear reflective clothing and wear or carry small lights to increase your visibility. Remember, just because it is cooler out, you still need to hydrate. Carry a water bottle and drink at regular intervals, not only while you workout, but throughout the day. Regular activity is important for your physical and mental well-being throughout the year. Get outside and enjoy the changing of the seasons!

The Rockwood Clinic Sports Medicine Team is Eastern Washington's #1 resource for the prevention, management, and complete care of athletic injuries for all levels of participation. For more information and to sign up for our free sports medicine e-newsletter go to  http://www.rockwoodclinic.com/services/sports_medicine.
If you have a sports medicine related question, please email us at sportsmedicine@rockwoodclinic.com.

Rockwood Sports Performance - prevent injury and improve athletic performance - we offer comprehensive sports performance programs for all ages and levels of competition, email us at performance@rockwoodclinic.com.

Bloomsday All City Elementary Cross Country meet culmination of newly launched Active4Youth program
Nearly a thousand young runners tested their legs and determination Monday, October 12th, at the Bloomsday All City Elementary Cross Country Meet at Comstock Park. The meet was the culmination of the Elementary Cross Country Program launched in Spokane elementary schools this fall by Active4Youth, a nonprofit that works to provide after-school sports programs for Spokane-area children to combat childhood obesity.
 
"We're excited to be part of this program, and we're gratified that the Lilac Bloomsday Association agreed to sponsor the All City Meet," said Mike Bresson, Active4Youth founder. "Bloomsday's mission is directly aligned with the intent of the Cross Country Program, so the partnership seemed like a natural fit."
 
This was the first All City Cross Country Meet for Spokane elementary students since 2003, when the Spokane School District discontinued after school sports competition due to budget constraints. Active4Youth was able to re-launch the program this fall after receiving funds from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation and the Charlotte Martin Foundation. Bloomsday's sponsorship has also been crucial in restarting the program.
 
The Cross Country Program was offered in all 34 of the District's elementary schools, and close to 3,000 kids signed up for the six-week program. Runners qualified for the Bloomsday All City Meet by either their place or time at one of two zonal meets. Over 700 qualifiers were expected to participate in the meet on October 12th.
 
For more information on Active4Youth or the Bloomsday All City Meet, please visit the Active4Youth web site at www.active4youth.org.

Become a Partner
Interested in learning more about the SRSC's Partners in Athletic Achievement program?  Get exclusive promotion opportunities at annual events hosted by the SRSC while giving back to athletes in our community. 
For more information please contact Suzanne Boyce at 509.742.9396