Austin to Host 2010 JO Boys' Championship

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

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 22, 2009) – USA Volleyball will return its signature annual boys’ youth national championship event – the USA Junior Olympic Boys’ Volleyball Championships – to the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. The 2010 event, which will showcase approximately 400 of the best junior boys’ teams from around the country, will be hosted locally by the Austin Sports Commission and held June 30 to July 7, 2010.

Austin has a recent history of hosting USA Volleyball national championship events. The USA Junior Olympic Boys’ Volleyball Championships were previously held in Austin in 1994 and 2004, while the USA Junior Olympic Girls’ Volleyball Championship was held in the city in 1994. The City of Austin also hosted the 2007 USA Adult Open Volleyball Championships at the same Austin Convention Center. The National Collegiate Men’s Club Championships were held in Austin in 1987 and 1993.

“We are excited about bringing another USA Volleyball Junior Olympic national championship event to Austin,” said Mike Chandler, USA Volleyball’s managing director of events. “The City of Austin, the venue, proximity of hotels to the competition and wide variety of eating establishments and entertainment makes this a win-win for USA Volleyball, the players and the local community. USA Volleyball has received high praise after every event it has hosted in Austin, and feels next year’s event will be no different.”

“The 2010 USA Junior Olympic Boys’ Volleyball Championships are a highly sought after event among our industry, so it is truly an honor for Austin to host this group," Matthew Payne, executive director of the Austin Sports Commission, said. “Not only are we excited to forge a new partnership with the event producers, but we're also looking forward to showcasing the city's outdoor amenities, athletic facilities - and even our music scene - to the 4,500-plus athletes, fans and officials in attendance. These Championships will generate more than $11 million in visitor spending for the Austin metro area.”

The Austin Convention Center is located in the heart of Texas’ state capital downtown business district. Situated between the shores of Lady Bird Lake and historic Sixth District, it is within a short distance from 5,500 hotel rooms. Ample parking is provided in two parking garages with a total capacity of 1,600 spaces.

The USA Junior Olympic Boys’ Volleyball Championships will crown 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.

Boys’ Bid Dates for qualification into the 2010 USA Junior Olympic Boys’ Volleyball Championships can be found by clicking here, or viewing the bottom of this release.

Additional information on the 2010 USA Junior Olympics Boys Volleyball Championships can be found by clicking here as information becomes available.

About Austin Sports Commission
The Austin Sports Commission (ASC) recruits, grows and retains sporting events in the greater Austin area. Sporting events continue to generate a significant economic impact for Austin. ASC works hand in hand with local organizing committees and event producers to identify potential venues, secure hotel space and, most importantly, serve as a local resource for ensuring operational success of the event. For more information, visit www.austinsports.org.

About Austin CVB
The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing and sales organization for the City of Austin. An accredited member of the Destination Marketing Association International, Austin CVB is charged with marketing Austin nationally and internationally as a premier business and leisure destination, thus enriching our community's overall quality of life. For more information, visit www.austintexas.org.

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 240,000 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 Paralympic Teams. 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. For more information, visit www.usavolleyball.org.

Date: January 2-3, 2010
Event: No Dinx Boy's Far Westerns
Divisions: 14 Open, 15 Open, 16 Open, 17 Open, & 18 Open
Number of Bids: TBD
Site: San Mateo Expo, San Mateo, Calif.
Contact: NCVA Region Office
Phone: 415-550-7582

Date: January 16-17, 2010
Event: Dennis Lafata Gateway Boy's Festival
Divisions: 14 Open, 15 Open, 16 Open, 17 Open, & 18 Open
Number of Bids: TBD
Site: St. Louis Metro Area
Contact: Nicki Werner Fisaga
Phone: 314-849-1221

Date: January 16-17, 2010
Event: Rochester CAN-AM
Divisions: 14 Open, 15 Open, 16 Open, 17 Open, & 18 Open
Number of Bids: TBD
Site: Metro Rochester, N.Y.
Contact: Cal Wickens
Phone: 585-329-6866

Date: January 16-18, 2010
Event: SCVA Junior Boys Invitational
Divisions: 14 Open, 15 Open, 16 Open, 17 Open, & 18 Open
Number of Bids: TBD
Site: American Sports Center, Anaheim, Calif.
Contact: SCVA Office
Phone: 714-917-3595 Fax: 714-917-3596

Date: January 30-31, 2010
Event: Florida Fest
Divisions: 14 Open, 15 Open, 16 Open, 17 Open & 18 Open
Number of Bids: TBD
Site: TBD
Contact: USAV Events Department
Phone: 719-228-6800 Fax: 719-228-6899

Date: February 6-7, 2010
Event: Molten Wisconsin Boy's Volleyball Festival
Divisions: 14 Open, 15 Open, 16 Open, 17 Open, & 18 Open
Divisions: 14 Club, 15 Club, 16 Club, 17 Club, & 18 Club
Number of Bids: TBD
Site: Waukesha (Surrounding Area), Wis.
Contact: Terry and Nancy Paulson
Phone: 262-939-2534

Date: February 13-14, 2010
Event: Nittany Ninvitational
Divisions: 17 Open & 18 Open
Number of Bids: TBD
Site: Penn State main campus, University Park, Pa.
Contact: Rose and Scott Atkinson
Phone: 814-234-4041

Date: February 13-14, 2010
Event: Fine Design Great Lakes Festival
Divisions: 14 Open, 15 Open, 16 Open, 17 Open, & 18 Open, 16 Club, 17 Club, 18 Club
Number of Bids: TBD
Site: Chicagoland Area
Contact: Niels Pedersen
Phone: 708-819-0294

Date: February 20-21, 2010
Event: Northeastern Boys’ Bid Tournament (formerly Nittany II)
Divisions: 14 Open, 15 Open, & 16 Open
Number of Bids: TBD
Site: York Expo Center, York, Pa.
Contact: USAV Events Department
Phone: 719-228-6800 Fax: 719-228-6899

Date: May 29-31, 2010
Event: Boys' East Coast Championships
Divisions: 14 Open, 15 Open, 16 Open, 17 Open, & 18 Open
Number of Bids: TBD
Site: Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, Va.
Contact: Skip Weston
Phone: 804-358-3000 Fax: 804-358-1018

Tags: grassroots, Junior Olympics