Competitive Cycling Returns to Cheney

WA State Masters Criterium coming in June

The Spokane Regional Sports Commission and Emde Sports announced the selection of Cheney as the host city for the 2009 Washington State Masters Criterium Championship  The competition will be held June 27, 2009.
 
"I couldn't be more excited for our city." said Allan Gainer, Mayor of Cheney.  "For over twenty years Cheney has been a destination for cycling enthusiasts, and to host the Washington State Masters Championships will reaffirm Cheney as a fantastic setting for these types of competitive events."  
 
Competitive cycling is no stranger to the city of Cheney.  In 1988, Cheney hosted the Individual Time Trial Event for the Olympic Trials which selected the athletes that represented the United States.  In 1991, Cheney played host to the National Collegiate Road Cycling Championships welcoming hundreds of collegiate riders to the city. 
 
The all-day event will be held on a one-mile closed course that winds through downtown Cheney and the surrounding historic neighborhood.  Masters and Junior categories will compete and a kids' race will also be featured. 
 
For more information on the 2009 Washington State Masters Criterium Championships click here.

America's Pastime Comes Home

American Legion World Series & Regional Championship coming to Spokane in 2010

The summer of 2010, Spokane will be the hub of American Legion Baseball hosting two solid weeks of tournaments.  The Sport Commission recently announced the awarding of the American Legion Baseball Northwest Regional Tournament, coming August 5-9, 2010 to AK Jackson Field.  The 2010 American Legion World Series follows on August 13-17 at Avista Stadium. 
 
Each tournament will bring 8 teams, ages 15-19, to Spokane.  The two events will generate an estimated $1.75 million economic impact for our community. 
 
This event was awarded to Spokane thanks to the support of a solid local American Legion organizing committee, headed up by the SRSC and Spokane American Legion Post 9.   "Spokane Post 9 and AK Jackson Field is an outstanding site for the tournament," says American Legion National Americanism Commission Chairman Joseph E. Caouette Jr.  "Spokane has a very active American Legion Baseball program and strong community support with excellent organizing committees."
 
Tickets for the World Series will be available this summer.  Visit www.spokanesports.org or www.spokanealb.com for more details.  Also look for information on the World Series at Spokane Indians games at Avista Stadium this year as their season gets underway June 20th.

Swim....Bike...Run

Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene returns to the Lake City

This month one of the toughest events in the world of sports will bring over 2,000 athletes to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for a test of speed, endurance, and will.  The Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene will be in its 5th year in the Lake City and both the community and competitors are thrilled the Ironman has found a home here.  The beauty of Coeur d'Alene is no secret to us in the Inland Northwest, and now the nation's best endurance athletes know it too.  The 2009 Ironman Coeur d'Alene will be held on Sunday, June 21st with the swim starting at 7:00 a.m.

For more information on this event visit www.coeurdalene.org or www.ironmancda.com.

Local Teams Headed to National Championships 

North Spokane Running Club / Spokane Splash Volleyball awarded grants from SRSC

 The SRSC is pleased to announce the most recent recipients of grants through our Athletic Achievement Grant Program.

The North Spokane Running Club will receive support for their upcoming trip to the Nike Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Greenville, North Carolina.  The team will be sending 6 athletes to compete June 18-20.  This team includes members of the national champion cross country team from North Central High School, which was honored as Junior Male Team of the Year at the 2009 Inland Northwest Sports Awards Luncheon, hosted by the SRSC in February.  

The SRSC is also providing assistance to the Spokane Splash U15, U17, & U18 volleyball teams.  These ladies are headed to Miami, Florida for the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics, June 26-July 5.  The teams qualified for Nationals at this year's Pacific Northwest Qualifier, held annually at the Spokane Convention Center and Eastern Washington University.

The focus of the Athletic Acheivement Grant Program is to assist youth athletes with travel expenses for qualifying regional and national events.  Limited assistance for teams is also avaiable.  Please visit our website for more information.

Spokane Climbers Making History 

Oldest man & woman to top Mt. Everest both call Spokane home

Climbers from Spokane were making their mark on Mount Everest last month.  Kay LeClaire, 60, reached the summit of the 29,035-foot peak on May 22nd, making her the oldest U.S. woman to climb Mount Everest.  On May 19th, 66-year-old Dawes Eddy reached the summit to become the oldest U.S. man to make it to the top of the world's highest peak. 
 
Climbing is a popular pastime for Inland Northwest residents.  Few other cities in North America have been home to so many world-class climbers.  This includes Spokane native John Roskelley (pictured), who was inducted into the Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 for his accomplishments on some of the highest and most difficult peaks in the world. 

Currently, a team of climbers from Spokane is working their way up North America's highest point, the 20,320-foot Denali in Mt. McKinley National Park, Alaska.  One of the climbers, Dan Coslic, returned home today due to an injury, but the rest of the team continues their mission.  You can click here to view status updates, pictures, and support the Spokane Mountaineers Denali 2009 (SMD9) team's efforts to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association.

Board Member Spotlight - Bill Maxey

SRSC welcomes our newest Board member

Last month, the SRSC welcomed Bill Maxey, life-long Spokane resident, Gonzaga Law School graduate, activist, and basketball enthusiast to our organization.  Bill's father is Carl Maxey, who was inducted into the Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame for his performance as a member of the Gonzaga University boxing team.  Bill is currently a partner at Maxey Law Offices with his brother Bevan, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Martin Luther King Family Outreach Center.
 
His professional accolades include Spokane County Bar Association Trustee and Officer including President (1999-2004), member of Initiative for Diversity Governing Council (2006-2008), and current member of the Washington State Bar Foundation Board of Trustees, and Co-Chair and Member of the SCBA Diversity Section.
 
"We are very excited for the unique perspective Bill Maxey will bring to the SRSC Board.  His work on behalf of youth, diversity, and community excellence will enhance our events, projects, and overall mission," commented SRSC Board Chair, Jim Murphy.
 
The SRSC also said goodbye this spring to long-time Board member Craig Dias, Vice President & General Manager at Haskins Steel Co., Inc. Craig stepped down, after serving on the Board since 2000, including 6 years as Treasurer.  Craig will remain active with SRSC committees, including the Best Ball Classic Golf Tournament and Athletic Achievement Grant Program.

EWU Season Tickets On Sale TODAY!

Get your tickets for Eastern football & volleyball

Eastern Washington University launched ticket sales for the 2009/2010 football and volleyball seasons this morning. 

All home volleyball matches take place on the EWU campus at Reese Court.  Season tickets start at $45 and are available online through TicketsWest.

Football season seats include all four home games at Woodward Field in Cheney and are available through TicketsWest as well.

Visit GOEAGS.COM or call 1.866.4GOEAGS for more information.

RiverHawks Baseball Season Starting

Opening day Friday, June 5th

It is officially RiverHawk season, with opening day only 4 days away on June 5th, 2009!  Head on over to spokaneriverhawks.com and check out the latest news on the RiverHawks, including the summer schedule and updated roster.

Opening day is magnet schedule give-away night.  The first pitch is at 6:35 pm at Avista Stadium.  If you can't make Friday's game, the RiverHawks play Saturday and Sunday at Avista Stadium as well.

If you want to know more, check out spokaneriverhawks.com.

2009 National Veterans Wheelchair Games

Volunteers needed!

The Spokane VA Medical Center and NW Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America will co-host the 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Spokane, Washington.  The Games are presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.  Participants come from across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Great Britain. The Games are a multi-event sports program open to military service veterans who are eligible for care at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility and who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations, or other mobility impairments.
 
Over 3,000 community volunteers are needed during the week of July 12 - 19, 2009.
Volunteer applications are available at www.wheelchairgames.va.gov or call 509-434-7510. 

Partners' Corner

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Coming to Spokane for Hoopfest 2009
Hoopfest is proud to present the NBA's all-time leading scorer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as a guest speaker for the 2009 event.  Six-time league MVP, Abdul-Jabbar, will be giving a presentation, question and answer session, and book signing in the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox on Friday, June 26 at 7:00 PM.   Each ticket includes an autographed book, On the Shoulders of Giants, an audio documentary CD, and a Skyhook T-shirt.  Tickets for the event are $50 each and are available through TicketsWest (1.800.325.SEAT) or at the Fox Box Office (509.624.1200).

Due to the increase in teams and players Hoopfest is still in need of volunteers and court monitors.  Applications to volunteer or be a court monitor are available at www.spokanehoopfest.net/Volunteer_/. 

Rockwood Clinic June Update
Hoopfest is fast approaching and once again, Premera Blue Cross is the medical services sponsor for the event. Rockwood Clinic will be on-site at the medical services tent located in front of River Park Square. Everything from ankle taping and blister care to evaluation and triage of participant injuries will be provided free-of-charge by Rockwood Clinic staff volunteering their time in support of this wonderful community event. Stop by our tent and let the leading provider of sports medicine services in Eastern Washington be your Hoopfest provider of choice.
 
NORTHWEST FOOTBALL COMBINE - Calling all area high school football players 15 and older! Rockwood Clinic and the af2 Spokane Shock are partnering for the second year to hold the Northwest Football Combine July 18 at Joe Albi Stadium. Don't miss out on this opportunity for direct collegiate football recruiting exposure. Each participant will receive objective testing data, an online player profile, and recruit marketing services, as well as having their results sent to the College Coaches Network and Scout.com. Team (20 or more athletes) discounts are available. For more information or to obtain a registration packet, email Katon Bethay at kbethay@rockwoodclinic.com.
 
Rockwood Clinic works with the af2 Shock, USL Spiders, EWU athletics, numerous club sports, as well as local and rural high schools each and every day. If you have questions regarding our sports medicine services, please contact us at sportsmedicine@rockwoodclinic.com.  For general information about our programs and services please visit our website.

Bloomsday Grows for Second Straight Year-Largest Field Since 2002 
In spite of the sour economy, concern over swine flu, and a forecast of possible rain on race day, the field for the 33rd annual Lilac Bloomsday Run grew by over 3,700, an increase of nearly 8% over 2008. It was the second year in a row that Bloomsday enjoyed a significant surge in participation, making totals for both entries (51,259) and finishers (45,477) the highest they've been since 2002.
 
"Growth in and of itself isn't our goal," said Bloomsday Association President Jerry O'Neal. "But we're glad that the community is responding positively to things we're doing to keep the event fun and exciting."
 
While rain was forecast for race day earlier in the week, race morning ended up cool and dry, ideal for running. Lineth Chepkurui of Kenya responded to the conditions by posting a 38:37 victory in the women's race, one of the fastest Bloomsday times on record. John Yuda of Tanzania ran more conservatively in the men's race, but surged into the lead on Doomsday Hill and went on to become the first non-Kenyan winner at Bloomsday in fifteen years. Krige Schabort and Amanda McGrory captured the wheelchair crowns.
 
Nearly $100,000 was awarded in open, masters, US citizen and Washington state resident divisions in this year's Bloomsday Run. Along with spirited elite competition in all divisions, participants enjoyed performances from nearly 30 bands, vocalists and performing troupes along the course. And in keeping with its "Getting Greener" initiative this year, Bloomsday diverted over a ton of discarded water cups to a composting facility. Bloomsday is believed to be the first major road race in the nation to compost its cups.
 
Next year's Lilac Bloomsday Run, the 34th, will be on Sunday, May 2nd, 2010.  For more information visit www.bloomsdayrun.org.