Greetings!
Happy Holidays! The year is winding down, but that doesn't mean things are slowing down for your Wenatchee Valley Sports Council. We're busily preparing for 2008 and can't wait for the wonderful changes in the year ahead. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! |
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Coaches of Inspiration Nominations Needed
 It's time for the 3rd Annual Coaches of Inspiration Awards. Check Monday's Wenatchee World for an ad insert and return it by December 31st. The Coaches of Inspiration Awards ice cream social is set for Wednesday, January 23rd at the Wenatchee Convention Center. This is a wonderful chance to thank those volunteer coaches for their time, effort and expertise. An entry form can be downloaded from our website. Mail or drop entries to the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council at 25 N. Wenatchee, Suite C-111.
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It Was a Good Sports Year for the Valley
For the first time in Sports Council history, a comprehensive, year-long study has been conducted to track sports event participation. The numbers gathered will help us explore the economic impact of those who travel into the Wenatchee Valley for sports. The findings in 2007 will also be a benchmark by which future years are measured.
A total of 95,659 people participated in, coached, volunteered for, staffed or watched a sports event in the Wenatchee Valley in 2007. Of those, 18,136 traveled to the valley to participate, bringing with them another 23,576 people.
Zeroing in on the economic impact of these sports visitors is the next step. It is estimated that each sports traveler spends an average of $99 per day on accommodations, food and entertainment while here. That equals over $4.1-million to the Wenatchee Valley economy.
March and July were the biggest months in sports tourism in 2007. 37 events brought in 16,022 sports tourists, bringing in nearly $1.6-million to the Wenatchee Valley economy. Of the individual sports genres, softball proved king. 15 different softball tournaments between March and September lured 5,980 people from outside the area. That's an impact of $592,020! Cycling and multi-sport events were next, with 3,872 travelers coming to the Wenatchee Valley for 13 events, totaling $383,328 of economic impact.
It should be said that the numbers quoted here are just part of the story. What isn't tracked is the number of people who travel into Wenatchee just to watch sports who aren't affiliated with the participants. The numbers also don't reflect the amount of money spent by locals on goods and services related to the sports events that take place. |
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Former SC Director Steps Down Jennifer Korfiatis announced her resignation from the Sports Council Board in November. The former Executive Director said, "unfortunately, I have a time conflict with our monthly meetings here at the Sports Council...it's a tremendous opportunity for me."
Korfiatis is referring to her selection for a marketing committee with the Wilderness Society. It's a two-year commitment and a 10-year initiative. She said, "I will sit across the table from and have the ear of the Vice President and CEO of REI. Anytime you get that chance, it's not one to pass up."
Korfiatis was the second Executive Director of the Sports Council and ushered it through the formative years and really helped take it from an idea to a working body. While her talents will be missed from the board, Korfiatis will stay on the scholarship committee.
The vacancy leaves an open position on the Sports Council Board. Applications are available at the Sports Council office at 25 N. Wenatchee Avenue, Suite C-111. |
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If you have any questions or comments about the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council or this newsletter, please give me a call at 509-663-3723 or toll free at 1-800-572-7753. You can also email me at eric@wenatcheevalley.org. |
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Sincerely,
Eric Granstrom
Wenatchee Valley Sports Council
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Board of Directors
Pres. - Greg Jones
VP - Caryl Morrell
Erik Bakke
Bruce Bennett
Sally Brawley
Linda Haglund
BJ Kuntz
Dan Kelly
Mark Madland
Ken Osburne
Scott Paton
Trina Sanders
Bob Rust
Dan White
Director of Marketing - Eric Granstrom
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Thanks to L.M. Boyd for the following jewels of wisdom...
Was the custom in Worcestershire once to give a bough of mistletoe to the cow that bore the first calf after New Year's. You didn't have to kiss her.
The word "mortgage" traces back into Norman French to something very nearly like "death pledge," but no doubt you suspected as much.
Q: Why is that tree called a dogwood?
A: Because a concoction brewed from its bark was thought to cure dogs of mange.
Reindeer, shmeindeer, the Netherlands' St. Nicholas rides a horse.
A footprinted trail of an animal is called a "pug."
Q: "What's the oldest organized spectator sport in America?"
A: Horse racing, certainly. First horse track here was laid out on Long Island in 1665.
Q: How long is the shelf life of popcorn?
A: Can only report that archaeologists have popped 1,000-year-old popcorn.
Both Socrates and Plato believed students learn best from teachers who speak well rather than from writers who write well. (food for thought)
Finally, Did You Know that L.M. Boyd's name was Louis Malcolm Boyd? Did You Know he was born in Spokane and became famous while living in Seattle and writing "The Grab Bag" for the Seattle P-I? Mr. Boyd passed away in January of this year. | |
