InsiderStuff eNews

The Charlotte Sports Commissions' 1st Annual Hog Jog 5K will be held on Saturday, September 13th, in Uptown Charlotte. The road race will be held in association with the "Blues, Brews, and BBQ" event in Center City Charlotte. Portions of the proceeds will be donated to charity and cash prizes for the top finishers are being considered. There are several divisions available including the "Squeal Chair" division and the "Piglet Fun Run for Kids!" Plan to enjoy the Blues, Brews, and BBQ festivities in the Center City after the race!
We would appreciate your support and encourage your participation in this family friendly event. For more information about race details and registration, please visit www.hogjog.org.

Fight Night for Kids Grant Recipients Breakfast

On April 11th the YWCA Central Carolinas hosted the inaugural event to recognize the 2008 recipients. The breakfast was attended by representatives of the 18 individual organizations selected by the Fight Night for Kids presented by Time Warner Cable Steering Committee. The total amount of money distributed this year was $140,000, bringing the nine year total to $980,000 in funds granted to over 50 Charlotte area children's charities in that time. The breakfast also provided a great opportunity for the recipients to learn more about Fight Night for Kids and an equally super chance for networking amongst the groups. A special thanks to the YWCA for being our host and for Jim Babb for making it happen. If you are interested in receiving information about this year's 10th Anniversary event or about the grant process, please contact Jeff Beaver at jbeaver@charlottesports.org.

Mile High Affair

The inaugural "Mile High Affair" was held on May 7th in a hangar at Wilson Air Center, with guests enjoying an evening of charity "gambling", great food and beverages. Brian Vickers and Ascension Aviation hosted the event with proceeds benefiting Fight Night for Kids and the Levine Children's Hospital. Exotic cars and private aircraft were on display during the evening. There was also a great silent auction of one-of-a-kind items. The CRSC provided guidance on marketing, logistics, finance and promotion.

River Roar 2008

River Roar 08'

Friday, June 6th marked the 3rd Annual River Roar at the US National Whitewater Center. This year's corporate raft race became a wet n' wild good time! From the entertaining "trip talk" before getting on the water to the guides rushing our groups through the whitewater for the fastest times, our participants were very enthused by the experience. The Charlotte Sports Commission congratulates Lowe's Motor Speedway for taking the 1st place prize! We would like to thank our sponsors: Conder Flag Company, Charlotte Checkers, Bojangles', and Enterprise. Also a special thanks to Springs Creative, EnerGmax, Pepsi, Bealer Wholesale, US National Whitewater Center, Carmex, and our volunteers!
Rafts are now available for the 4th Annual River Roar. Please contact Chris Clouden with any interest at 704-688-8531.

2008 Palisades Collegiate Golf Classic

The nationally-ranked Charlotte 49ers Golf Team successfully defended their title at the 2008 Palisades Collegiate Golf Classic held April 13-15 at The Palisades Country Club. The 49ers, who have won the Classic the past 4 years, overcame the challenging winds during the last day to shoot an 856 (-8) for the tournament. Vincent Nadeau from VCU shot a tournament record 206 (-10) to win medalist honors.

We want to thank our generous sponsors of this Sports Commission event: The Palisades Country Club, Harris Teeter, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Bowne of Charlotte, CorderPhilips, Hood Hargett, Keith Corporation, RT Dooley, Smith Turf & Irrigation, Visit Charlotte, BB & T, Bojangles, Callaway Golf, Lance and Sabona.

USA Youth Outdoor Track and Field Championships

Hosted by UNC Charlotte at the Irwin Belk Track and Field Center/ Transamerica Field, the 2008 USA Youth Outdoor Track and Field Championships were a great success. The Championship event was a national competition with entry based upon qualifying standards for each event and has the same age divisions as the USATF Junior Olympic program. The USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships were scored for team championships in all age divisions and is a popular competition for clubs around the country. Thanks to Visit Charlotte and UNC Charlotte for the local organizing aspects of this event, not to mention all the volunteers for their efforts!

Wachovia Championship

Quail Hollow Club hosted yet another successful Wachovia
Championship this year, April 28th - May 4th. Unfortunately, Tiger
Woods was unable to defend his title due to knee surgery; but,
surprisingly, this did not affect ticket sales. There were an estimated 35,000 spectators a day and approximately 5,000 of those spectators chose to use the new Blue Line as their means of transportation. Since its inauguration in 2003, the Wachovia Championship has raised over $7.5 million for charity. The Wachovia Championship has become one of the most prestigious sporting events in the Charlotte region as well as a favorite among PGA Tour Players.
For information about next year's event, please visit www.wachoviachampionship.com

Olympic Trials - USA Canoe/Kayak

USACK Team Trials - The 2008 Olympic Team Trials for Whitewater Slalom were held at the US National Whitewater Center over the weekend of April 25-27, 2008 in front of a crowd of over 15,000. This event was accompanied by the Continental Qualifier and Canadian Team Trials, making this a truly international event. NBC had a multi-camera video shoot during the weekend which produced a one-hour show that aired nationally on MSNBC. The resulting US National Team is now participating in international competition in Europe. The final US Slalom team that will participate in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics will be named on July 7th. Local athletes Brett Heyl (K1), Zuzana Vanha (K1W) and Austin Crane (C2) are all currently in the number one US boats, so wish them luck! The CRSC provided many services in the production and promotion of the event in everything from finance, marketing and logistics!

NCAA Division II Golf Super Regional

On May 5-7, while the rest of the region was reminiscing about the Wachovia Championship, another championship golf tournament was being held in Mooresville. The Point Lake and Golf Club played host to the NCAA D-II Golf Super Regional featuring sixteen of the best college golf teams in the Southeast. Five of the teams, including host Belmont Abbey, won the opportunity to advance to the NCAA D-II National Tournament, which was recently held in Houston, TX.

Mike Mistler of The Charlotte Sports Commission staff served as the Tournament Director for the tournament. We want to thank some tremendous Sports Commission friends who really came through and provided invaluable assistant in making this one of the best regional tournaments in the nation: The Point Lake and Golf Club, Belmont Abbey College Athletics, Mooresville CVB, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Harris Teeter, and Show Pros Entertainment.

WalMart FLW Tour - National Guard

Sean Hoernke, 31-year old angler from Magnolia, TX, caught a final round, two-day total of 27 pounds even to win the 2008 WalMart FLW Tour - National Guard Open last April 24-27. Hoernke easily outdistanced 2nd place angler Jim Moynagh (Carver, MN) to win the $150,000 first place check. Local angler Chris Baumgarder of Gastonia finished the tournament in 10th place.

Lake Norman served as the fishery for the tournament for the 2nd year in a row. The Family Fun Fest and the Final Weigh-ins were held at the Charlotte Convention Center. Once again, this tournament's success was a testament to the outstanding teamwork among our region's sports partners that includes Visit Charlotte, Visit Lake Norman, Mecklenburg County Park & Rec, and the Charlotte Sports Commission.

FLW Outdoors has recently announced that Visit Lake Norman, Visit Charlotte, Charlotte Sports Commission, Cabarrus County CVB, and Mecklenburg County Park and Rec will host the 2009 WalMart FLW Tour-National Guard Open next April 23-26. Mark your calendars!