Atlanta, Minneapolis to Host 2011 USAV Junior Events

Bill Kauffman
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: bill.kauffman@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 27, 2010) – USA Volleyball has awarded the 2011 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships (GJNC) to Atlanta, while its 2011 USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships (BJNC) has been awarded to Minneapolis. The sites were announced during USA Volleyball’s Annual Meetings being conducted in Phoenix May 25-28.

The GJNC will be held June 25-July 4 at the World Congress Center. The BJNC will be held June 29-July 6 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Atlanta, the Gate City of the South, has hosted several major USA Volleyball events in the past. The USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships will be played in Atlanta for the third time after the 2003 and 2006 events. In addition, the 2007 and 2009 USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships were contested in Atlanta, while the 2004 and 2008 USA Volleyball Open National Championships for Adults were held in Atlanta. Next year will mark the seventh major USA Volleyball event hosted by Atlanta in the last nine years.

“Atlanta has been a great destination for USA Volleyball events, and the city has always welcomed the participants with its charming southern hospitality,” said Mike Chandler, USA Volleyball’s managing director of events. “The participants in Atlanta will enjoy the close proximity of hotels to the World Congress Center. When not competing on the court, there is plenty of great entertainment and things to do nearby.”

Going into its 32nd running with the 2011 event, the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships attracts nearly 9,500 athletes annually to the event hosted by USA Volleyball. The tournament will crown 19 champions in age divisions ranging from 12 to 18. Further, the event draws not only thousands of family and friends, but hundreds of college recruiters looking for the next top players for their programs.

“We welcome the 2011 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships to Atlanta, Ga.,” said Ken Cain, who is the commissioner of the host Southern Region. “We hope that everyone will join us and enjoy some southern hospitality.”

The Georgia World Congress Center is located in the heart of Atlanta’s downtown entertainment district featuring extraordinary shopping, delectable dinning and world-class entertainment. Top local attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center, Georgia Dome, Philips Arena, Turner Field and World of Coca-Cola.

Similarly, Minneapolis has been an active host partner with USA Volleyball. Minneapolis last hosted the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships in 2006, and it was awarded the 2007 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships the following year. Minneapolis has hosted the USA Volleyball Open National Championships in 2009, 2003 and 1945. The 2011 USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships will be Minneapolis’ fifth USAV national championship event since 2003, along with hosting a home weekend of 2006 FIVB World League.

“USA Volleyball is excited to bring the its Boys’ Junior National Championships to Minneapolis,” Chandler said. “The City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Convention Center have been excellent hosts for USA Volleyball events in the past. The players, parents and officials have always shared what a tremendous experience they have while in Minneapolis, not only with the event itself, but also with the many other things to do while in the Twin Cities area.”

The USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships attracts approximately 400 of the best junior boys’ teams from across the country with 4,500-plus athletes, fans and officials in attendance. The event has five Open Division titles at each age group between 14 and 18. In addition, seven Club Division titles will be contested in the 12-year-old category through under-18.

“We are excited to have the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships back in the North Country Region again,” said Judy Praska, commissioner from the host North Country Region. “By having this event in Minneapolis, we are hoping that it spurs additional growth and development of the boys’ game in the region. We look forward to hosting the championships and possible other USA Volleyball events in the future.”

Minneapolis was recently named one of the 15 Coolest North American cities by MSN Travel. It is home to world-class museums, lush parks and gardens, an active nightlife, shopping with the Mall of America and major league professional sporting draws such as the Minnesota Twins during the summer months.

About USA Volleyball

Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is a Colorado incorporated non-profit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) as the National Governing Body for the sport of Volleyball in the United States.

USA Volleyball is responsible for both the Olympic disciplines of indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. USA Volleyball has over 255,000 registered members, 12,000 teams and 5,000 clubs nationwide. With an annual budget in excess of $11 million dollars, USA Volleyball supports the USA men’s and women’s senior national team programs, youth and junior national teams, national championship events, coaching education and certification programs, grassroots development, and programs for the disabled and ParalympicTeams. USA Volleyball has a rich tradition of success as evidenced by winning an Olympic medal in every Olympic Games since 1984 and capturing numerous World Cup, World Championship and Continental Championship titles.

USA Volleyball is committed to and works toward opportunity for all to participate. It is an advocate for all Americans endeavoring to assure universal access to opportunities at all levels of the game.

Tags: USA Volleyball Boys' Junior National Championships, USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships