You have previously read in this section of our newsletter about Charlotte's proud history as host for great sporting events, especially over the past 15 years. Well, we are now in the running for one of the world's best known tournaments for the years 2018 or 2022... the FIFA World Cup!
 
We are one of 27 cities nationwide with a love of soccer and that are still in the running, and the US Bid Committee will choose 18 US finalists in December for further consideration for either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup events. In December 2010, FIFA (Federation Inernationale de Football Association) will then choose which country and which 12 cities in that country will host the event.
 
If you are interested in seeing this famous, internationally popular tournament played in the Queen City at Bank of America Stadium, there is a way to show your support... by "signing" your name and expressing your support on an initial online petition to FIFA! This is a grassroots effort to include as many people as possible, with a minimum of 50,000 required to enhance our bid chances; furthermore, this petition process is a critical part of the overall bid, as the USA Bid Committee has asked each city in the running to participate. We will be competing with 26 other cities in the USA, and all of these groups will also be attempting to get the greatest base of fan support possible, as demonstrated by the number of petition signees per city.
 
Visit www.gousabid.com/city  and Support Charlotte, NC. Place your  name on the petition today! 

Thanks for your help... by signing this petition, you will be part of "Team Charlotte", striving together to bring one of, if not THE greatest sporting event in the world to the United States and the Queen City.

• Nolan Mills captured the coveted Charlotte City Amateur Golf Championship with a final round 72 at The Quail Hollow Club, outlasting former pro Brett Boner, who finished 3 shots back. The event was held August 14-16 and contested over 3 of Charlotte's premier layouts...Carolina Golf Club, Myers Park Country Club and Quail Hollow, site of the PGA's Quail Hollow Championship.
• Charlotte's QCAA Force Basketball 9U Red team won the US Basketball Association National Championship Tournament, beating another AAU team, the Tennessee Elite, by the score of 26-22.
• Kings Mountain's Dremiel Byers won the Silver Medal in the Greco-Roman discipline at the World Wrestling Championships in Denmark.
  
  

• The Inaugural Commemorative Classic, celebrating the birth of black college football, will take place at Livingstone Athletic Field in Salisbury on October 3rd. Johnson C Smith University (originally Biddle Institute)and Livingstone College will meet in a game played first in 1892. Contact 704-395-4706 or visit www.commemorativeclassic.com for more information.
• On October 14, 2009, the Charlotte Sports Commission, Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and Mike Rucker Health & Wellness will present the High School Leadership Summit on Health & Fitness. Distinguished speakers will address four student-athletes from each school in Mecklenburg County about leadership, nutrition, and overall benefits of great health. The event will be hosted at Johnson & Wales University.
• Next month NASCAR makes it way back to Charlotte with the Banking 500 only from Bank of America, on October 17 at 7:30 pm at Lowes Motor Speedway.  This event will bring out a multitude of fans to the Charlotte area, since this is the fifth round of the ten race Chase for the Sprint Cup.  Furthermore there is a chance for fans to buy discounted tickets and help local schools in the Charlotte area at the same time.  A generous amount of the proceeds from each ticket sold will go to the attendee's school of choice. tickets at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.
• Also on October 17th is Carolina College Fest! Enjoy tailgating, a concert featuring Eric Church, and a reserved seat in the Banking 500 for college students at a bundled price.  Finally there will be a separate concert for race fans to enjoy featuring TobyMac and MercyMe.  Come out and support local schools, hear some great music, and enjoy an exciting race.           For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit the track website at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.
• Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon unites the excitement of road racing, music, family-friendly entertainment and the Charlotte region's rich heritage of stock car racing. From the time the green flag drops on race day until the checkered flag falls on the final finisher, each participant will experience the sounds of music along one of the Southeast's most scenic courses. With a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon, Thunder Road is the perfect road race for every age group and skill level! Register online now by visiting www.runcharlotte.com.
• The 2009 Bojangles High School Shootout to benefit Athletes United for Youth (AU4Y) is scheduled to take place December 28th-30th at Bojangles Coliseum and the Grady Cole Center. Top basketball programs from North and South Carolina will face off in this celebrated event. For more information, please visit www.athletesforyouth.org.