June 2007 Newsletter

• New Big 12 events and new associates set the stage
• 35th Annual Banquet set for June 19th at Bartle Hall
• Wooden bat tourney slated for 4 KC locations June 21-23
• WIN for KC is RoWIN this summer
• Register youth for KC Classic Basketball tourney

New Big 12 events and new associates set the stage

by Mr. Kevin M. Gray, President

We received wonderful news recently that we have been awarded future Big 12 Championship events.  These events include the Big 12 Football Championship game in 2008 and the men’s and women’s basketball championships in 2010 and 2011. 

This win is particularly important because the economic impact of future Big 12 and NCAA Basketball men’s and women’s basketball events over the next four years exceeds $100 million. 

These opportunities are considered strategic priorities for our organization and the events we’ve secured will all be held in new or remodeled Kansas City sports venues we’ve worked hard to facilitate. This is a great example of our work paying off for the benefit of the community. Though many years in the making, these high-profile collegiate events will reap rewards throughout our broad community for many years to come.

We greatly appreciate the support of our area partners in the Big 12 Championships bid:  Convention and Visitor’s Association, the City of Kansas City, Missouri, Cordish Company, the Sprint Center, AEG and the Kansas City Chiefs.

New team members promise great things

We are transitioning toward the future with great optimism with several new members to our Sports Commission team.  Stephen Valenti joins us with responsibility for our sportkc.org online registration initiative.  We were sorry to see Daniel Regan leave for the National Center for Drug Free Sport, but are pleased for him personally and the fact he is going to such a strong local company.  Stephen is very enthusiastic and has a solid background in this area.  He is working diligently to partner with area non-profit organizations seeking support for online event registration. This service offering is going well for our organization and we have helped generate in excess of $100,000 for local charitable entities like Autism, Children’s Mercy Hospital, CCVI, Brain Injury and Leukemia/Lymphoma. 

Mitzi Taylor has joined the team as our WIN for KC Program Coordinator and has also hit the ground running with Camp WIN. This unique program to help introduce girls to new sports and improve their skills in sports in which they may already be participating is a perennial success, and Mitzi hopes to expand that.  She’ll also spearhead other WIN for KC initiatives, including rowing instruction and other youth development efforts. Her strong special events background is a great asset to our team.

Lastly, Jenna Clifford was promoted from intern to SportKC Internet and Special Events Assistant.  Her enthusiasm and background in special events and dance have served her well and she is doing a fine job for our organization.

Please join us at our very special event

Once again, we have a wonderful line-up for our 35th Annual Sports Commission Awards Banquet on June 19 as we recognize athletes, sports leaders, coaches, teams and organizations who have made unique contributions to amateur and professional sports in our community and around the world. 

I personally invite you to join us for this memorable evening. Our honorees are always so eloquent and inspirational. Their thoughtful remarks leave an indelible impression on our attendees, and remind us all that hard work, discipline and energy are what sports are all about.

We invite you to help us spread the word and encourage sports fans of all ages to help support our many efforts on behalf of our metropolitan area.  We also encourage you to visit our website or call anytime as many exciting new projects, new membership functions and upgraded benefits for members and volunteer opportunities are wonderful benefits for the great fans and citizens of our region.

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35th Annual Banquet set for June 19 at Bartle Hall

The 2007 KC Sports Commission Awards Banquet at the Grand Ballroom at Bartle Hall promises to be our biggest event ever. Not only will we bestow the area’s top sports awards in a fantastic new venue, but we’ll be joined by many of the area’s elite athletes and personalities.

We’ll honor Dr. Dot Richardson with the prestigious CASEY Award and Will Shields, retired Kansas City Chief, will be honored with the award for Special Achievement in Professional Athletics. The Chiefs’ Jack Steadman will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Other honorees include Arthur Murphy of Special Olympics Missouri, baseball great Rick Sutcliffe and the USTA’s Judy Levering.

The Collegiate Athletes of the Year are Travis Helgeson, University of Georgia Tennis, who attended Blue Valley West High School, and Janet Anson, Iowa State University Gymnastics, who attended Park Hill High School. In addition, local high school stars from Missouri and Kansas will also be honored.

An exciting silent auction will precede the evening’s festivities beginning at 5:00 p.m. Items like a four-night skiing getaway to Aspen, which includes a one bedroom accommodation as well as 8 ski lift tickets valued at $1,400!  For those who would rather spend time in the Florida sun, your family can enjoy a four night stay at The Colony in Longboat Key, Fla, valued at $800.  Or stay in Kansas City to cheer on the Royals as you get a player’s perspective in your own Crown Club seat!  Yet another great item up for auction is a two-night stay at the InterContinental on the Plaza, valued at $538.  There will also be many signed items up for auction that are priceless.

For more information go to www.sportkc.org and click on Sports Commission Awards Banquet.

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Wooden bat tourney slated for 4 KC locations June 21-23

Kansas City’s best baseball fans will enjoy a one-of-a-kind showcase of baseball in a tribute to the Negro Leagues this month. The 7th annual Thriftway Buck O’Neil Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Classic presented by Sprint is an exciting tourney for youth ages 18 and under where all games are played with wooden bats in the style of the historic Negro Leagues.

You can help celebrate Kansas City’s rich heritage with the Negro Leagues with this competitive tournament designed to educate players, coaches and fans about vintage-style baseball and help promote baseball in our urban communities. The tournament will be held June 21-23 in four great locations: Satchel Paige Stadium, Rockhurst University, KCMO 3 & 2 Stadium and Clark Ketterman Fields.

Two special events are planned in conjunction with the tourney. A players showcase for college scouts is planned for 7 p.m., Thursday, June 21 at Satchel Paige Stadium, and a free baseball clinic for boys and girls ages 8-12 is planned at Cleveland Park Saturday, June 23. Get details and register at sportkc.org (http://www.sportkc.org/events/BuckONeilClassic2007.htm) or call 816-474-4652ext 225.

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WIN for KC is RoWIN this summer!

WIN for KC is teaming up with the Kansas City Rowing Club to offer girls and women an opportunity to gain experience in rowing. The Adult Learn to Row session is June 13, and two week-long camps are offered for girls ages 13-18 in both June and July.

Rowing is a great sport for girls and one that often times has college scholarships that go unused.   Many colleges and universities look for future rowers in high school female athletes, or girls that have an interest in sports.

Click here for more information on the rowing camps and clinics offered this summer.   (http://www.sportkc.org/win_for_kc/SummerforRoWIN.htm)

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Register youth for KC Classic Basketball Tourney

There’s still time to sign up for the 4th Annual Kansas City Classic Basketball Tournament June 30-July 1. Youth teams of boys and girls grades 4-8 and high school girls teams may register until June 15th. The tourney will feature both pool play and a double elimination bracket, and teams get a five-game guarantee.

Learn more and register at sportkc.org (link to: http://www.sportkc.org/events/KCClassicInfo.htm_), or call 816-474-4652 ext 225.

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