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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - March 2, 1999 SS216 CITY OF LODI INFORMAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING "SHIRTSLEEVE" SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM 305 W. PINE STREET TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1999 An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, March 2. 1999 commencing at 7:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Council Members — Hitchcock, Mann (left at 7:55 a.m.), Nakanishi, Pennino and Land (Mayor) Absent: Council Members — None Also Present: City Manager Flynn, Deputy City Manager Keeter, City Attorney Hays and City Clerk Reimche Also present in the audience was a representative from the Lodi News Sentinel and The Record. TOPIC(S) 1. Presentation Regarding ProStyle Sports ADJOURNMENT F No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:15 a.m. I ATTEST: F� Alice M. R :' imche City Clerk CITY OF LODI - ADMINISTRATION - INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL CITY FROM: JANE DEPUTY CIIY MANAGER SUBJECT: PROSTYLE SPORTS HANDOUTS DATE: 03/01/99 Attached for your information are the following handouts in advance of the ProStyle Sports Shirtsleeve Session presentation: 1. Economic Impact of SNICKERS US Youth Soccer Regional Championships — provided by Bob Asklof, District VIII Commissioner of California Youth Soccer Association 2. Letter of support from Randel E. Vataha, Game Plan LLC — provided by Jahn Verner and Roger Theder The aforementioned information was submitted to our office on Monday and was therefore unavailable for early distribution with the packet. Attachments FO•d £Z:VT 6662—TO—at4 Came Flan KJ.r1h,�l.rullher( LE.C. JtI+Yrl1N, ;tirl 02DO) h11- \OPP -ov 110betr L. f aperale Chairman Rmdei t= Naaaha PMSWCnt Mari h 1, 1979 Ludi City ('0uncil City of Lodi 211 Wc.i fine Street kxli. CA 115241-1610 Ro: Pn; Style Sporrs Dear Lidice. and Gentlemen: Over the past six months, our corpraliun has been consulting with t'ro Srvle Spurts regarding their Lobi, California project fronting Northbound Interstate i. We have com-eyed to Mr. Verner and Mr. neder Ehat a multi-spoo project of this nature located in Northern California could be extremely succvsrul, While Incalion is very inlIX)rtant• the success of'such a project will he bused upon a ..-Imig financial component. 1 um in the. Bay Arca kequently and would he happy to meei with the Lodi City Council to discuss this pmject further. Sincerely. Randel F. Vwaha RI'�V:ninp The .411tlrri (Jou! E01ferfohnlJe-711 Ir chatrY hives/ nivIN Banking, (Ind C'r nvollio'k, sea�eg•aLig ���'NC1d 3Wtl9 G'[ ? ;.50 tO,cf Game Piaa LLC %NMFF Morn i 1,. ('spor+de floorl V.. V1114112 GONSULTDIG AND MMTMKT SAMME TO THE SPORTS AND EITEATAM1+ M MMUSTRY 9z : vT 666T-TO—dUW �rjFJ p'rsirrtee ,5'rrtt7 Alaff (��Mk•: rJJ•SFAf•FJ5 Rr ff v& Al !!:1114 1'lie,Shu►lra>tdE��rcYrpianlcurindrl.[rti' • • IptYylllfe'NlBoiiklt�+QNrlC.ua:fMH/1(� £@•di ,a j4y'7 ,JI 6#+Zdta26dT9 �•11rN}J'ld 3i.lti9 b�'?H�•;, 4F�J�i3: j •'�1�bW a© •'d bF-: vT 666T—TO—Nt1W CONSULTrNG AND INVESTMENT BANKING Game Plan provides consulting, advisory and inve0mcnt banking services en the sports and entertainment industry. The principals of Canic Platt b ve experience in virtually eery phase of the sports and entertainment business and have been involved in every type of transaction within the sports and entertainment Industry. Cone Plan provides consulting, financial advisory and iavestrnent bunking services with respect to the acquisition, sate and financing of professional sparts tennis, the formation of sports leugues and the development and tinitttcing of sports facilities. 11it company maintains a complete database on franchise valutut and tenin solei and provides services to buyers, sellers, lenders, owners and investors in the profession- al sports Industry. The company also provides services to professional sports leagues and to the etltertaiament, facility management, event management and Iecturr man- agement industries. PRINCIPALS The founders of Came flan, (Robert L. Cnporsle and Randel F.. Valuhs, have exten- sivt experience and expertise in the sports and entertainment business including ow•rlership, management, marketing and the reptescatarion of professionni sporty scams, Wagites, athletes and sports facilities- The founders have been involved is the Formation of professional sports lessees and have relationships with owners, iavesftm, lenders and other individuals and entities Involved tri the sports and enter- tainment industry. Both Robert L, Caporals and Randcl L. Valuta have been involved In she ownership and management of a professional football team. BankBoston Corporation acquired a material ownership interest in Game Phan in December 1997.118204Mtott Corporettltm, the 16th largest back holding Company in the Vaited States with assets in excess of $71 billion, operates a network a17650 offices acr"-i the Vatted States and more than 100 oflZceR in 23 countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. BankBoston has considerable experience in the senior Ironic financing of professional sports teams and facllities and its Media and Conntrnanica- tions Group ranks among the top Ovg media and communications lenders in the United States, Although Game Plan is an indepandeat company, its eMces are locat- ed at 8anktloston'b headquarters wbich facilitaltes it close working retattattship with the bank. thr jx ns a�r,l etMrrabtrxtHl l n*i�slq� • • fN1'rtRftN1Vlfr Beq'kit% and i iwx+dlixk bQ•di y�l'. C'; 6b�LbF4LS9 ' I P 0-11•NO-W 3Wti9 1lNf.� f 'A !90 * d 1;.2!:t7t 6661 -TO -80W Rgberr L C�nvardle Attorney practicing litigation, business and sports and euNrcainrncttt taw, 1965-1997 Alternate Cosrrnor to the National Hockey League for the Plitsburgh Penguins, t4I1-1997 Attorney for Pittsburgh Penguins, 1991-1997 Attorney for New tloston Garden Corporation. owner and developer of the F1crt- Center, In connection with development and financing of the now :crena In Boston which opened in 19995 Chairman of Boston Soccer, Inc., a non-profit corporation, and Chairinain of Boston World Cup USA94 llost CommittoO Tris) Counsel in several major litigation matters involving protessiondi sports Attorney for Hartford Whalers (forinerlr New England Whalers) 1971-1994 Attorney for Boston Lobsters Tennis Team of World Team Tennlx 1975-1979 Attorney for Edmonton Qilem, Hartford Whalars, Quchee Vordislues and Winailmig Jets in transseflaw with NHL moulting In the teams joining the NTM in 1979 t'.'eaeral Counsel of World Hockey Association 1978.1979 President and Part owner of enema Breakers Football Club, one of the original franchises in the United States Football League Attorney for Florida Marlins in territorial claim arbitration prtweedings Attorney for buyers and sellers of professional sports teems is ML% NBA, NHL, NFL, NASL, WHA, USFL, AHI., !<'C1IL and CIS1. Chairman of Boston Sar Axsociation Sports and Entertainnwat Law Comntlttm 1989-1994 Member of Board of Advisors of Red AvVC611ch Youth Foundation lfember of Sports Advisory Committee of Greater Boston cony,elttioat & wi!eittrrE Bureau Member of the Hoard of governors of the Boston Stock Exchange ANarded the 1994 "Spirit of Business Leadership Award" by the Greater Boston Contention & Visitors Bureau and a ,995 "I eador%hip Award" by Massachu- Soffs; Governor "Aiiliala F. Weld is recognition orlesdershtp in bridging World Cup Soccer to Boston The .Vpf*& and Enferminstricf Indasrrr • a + IMI&WARctrt Bort klfe,C and ('a i ON ffiling Z S9'e�. ,1 i_�J l 64Z1_6Fe1.S9 711'I`{t1'7d 3WC'� �`i'��;•L +.:=�h' � `71�u., 90'd VE:VT 666—Zo—�Jdw /luord a E. timah ar NFL Player. -.Seven years 1971-1977 (bayed for New Engla+td Patriots and Grewn Isay !'ackers) Member of Executive Committee for ?National Football League Mayers AssacUtion (One of four man negotiating team for NFLPA with NFL owner9 in 1976-1977) Asked to he President of National Football League Players Association Faunding member of United States Football League Part {Owner of Boston and Yew Orleans Breakers Football Club In USFL and Pres- ldent of New Orlestts Breakers Player Agent eight years, with Rob Woolf Associates, Inc. 1987-1994 !Negotiated major contracts in NFL, NSA. MLH and NHL as well as Mediu (Kadlo and Television) for clients such as Larry Bird (Boston Celties),.loe Montana (San Francisco 49er's), Tom Gtavine (Atlanta Braves) and Tarry King (CNN) Winner of two FmmyAwards for sports 1lroadtasting from the SosttonlNew England Chapter of the NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION OF ART'S AND SCIENCES CF0 of Bob WoolfAsxaciates 1987-1994 Structured deal bet*een Marriott and Champions restaurants which resulted in 18 Champions restaurants in Marriutt Hotels internationally On Advisory Conttaillee to NFI. Players Association and NHA Players Association Only agent to participate in NFL collective bargaining acgutiations leading to cur- rent Collective Bargaining Agreement Assivted in developing !strategy for Froman McNeil antitrust litigation (two of the eight plaintiffs were clients and Randy Vataha was the first witncvm in the trial) Responsible for developing several of the concepts and )trarisions in the acw NFL C8A One of it small group that attempted tis' buy Wang Labs out of bankruptcy in 1993 ProGkd in Ifir Naare gf t/w QgW is Life by Robert L..Shook and Ramon Greenwood, Contemporary Books, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1992 The Sponr and Emer/ainme t itrd(Isfry • • • lrn'FaTnipp� BankloW glia 3 •'r r 1 9e'�� 1 591: .. sazatisbzss �7��Na�d �ua� � •,� �•. J0•d S?:VT 666T—TO-6HW C:QRMPLETED 'FRANSACTTONS +J�trt�l: c�t,;�ttirMc--,L'ril�,r�/•Inrcrrcs► Retained by Ww•ard Baldwin, Owner and Chairman or tht Board, to identify investor and nerotiatr the sale of 50% or the Tears. The project was successfully completed with the purchase of SO% of the Penguins by Roger Marino. co-founder of EMC Corp. !'i►f�f f'i�r1�r�itr•-,�;i1•rrtcr f.rrr,+;� Retained by Penguins' ownership to renegotiate the financial terms of the (case agreement with SMG for Civic Arena. Came Plan successfnJly compkMd a aaw agreement with SMG which resulteO in a henefli to the Penguins of S1.5 +uillion per year. llff/woosl lid,+�c��1►10r► '�► nrr (iron Consulting and investment banking services for Rom Perot dr.'s company regardleg rhe po"ible acquisition of the Dallas Stara (NUL), Gacne Plan's services loefuded an analysis of the structure of transaction, analysis of new arena project and the prepa- ration of a cunfldential report to Hillwaod Investment Corporation. 1:.►t, Uiow _ 1, , ex Investment banking scrYices far ane of tate premiere sports representation agoncles in the United States. Game Tian sucemfully identified potentiai buyers and com- pleted a 100% talc of the company to an ownership group comprised of Arnold Com- munications, Inc., Bobby Orr and Larry Moulter (former CEA of New Boston Gar- den Corporation and the new FleetCeuter). —14tor 1_rerwy v fits+ •htr �_T.�turr-��itlr� 1_�Uiift eml Consulting on behalf of a corporate Iirnited partner regarding the sate of its inters -At in a Major League Baseball teals. Canoe Plan's services incladed an analysis of MI,Il franchise values and identiftcadon of prospective purchasers. .3141r't• �MeY+►r ' Spec e #fLA »t Randy Vataha ser,vd as the Executive Coordinator of Major League Soccer Boston Sid Group which obtained the award of a Major League Soccer franchise to Boston (Peri England Revolution). The project included the devekspment tont implerneoho- tion of a marketing plan to sell soffilcdent season tickets to rnmt bid requirements. Thr SIMMS rtir f firrtrrtrrtrtrrratt to rrrn�, • • . trn�►rpreal Ba�rkbrfi aJrd Ci1r+,rNhi 4 ia•a C,.',pI64Zra£bLLa r�-1'+�a-1d 3Wan LrI�-S a so I cl S?:bT G6GT-TO-8bU Racp Itr. Consulting and investment bmaking services far shall group or investors in rc;turds to possible acquisition of the Dallas Sters of the SIM Sorvieds included an, analysis of the proposed transaction and amistanec in doe diligenee and preparation of cen- l;dential report concerning the transaction. Pro Lt-l.Itte !hx• ey Consulting and i,.vesiment flanking services for group or investors regarding forma- tion of a profvsslunal In-line hockey league including det•elopmeni of structure of league and preparation of husintss and financial plan. IdentitYcation of and negoti- ations with strategic television pariner and ncgotration of agreement among the Investors in new league. • { it!_•errt• .�1dnr417C-llr,�rFr�ut �rli Consulting and investment banking services to owner of Canadian Football Le.vue franchise regarding pnmaible reWation of franchise to the United States' including negotiation of stadium lsaxe and negotiations with potendal investars; in the U.S.; rcpr+esentalion of owner in negotiations with purchaser of team. it�ittiudiall.f_'qrtilr!l1.Gra t• 1•reparation atstrategic business plats roe the Canadian Football League and partic- ipation in League tclevicion negutiatioms. Lenin .S curl & ,F�rrtN+tt'�a&1) -. Consulting and investment banking services to Lawton Sport & Financitl, Inc. with respect to the sale of the sports mpresents6an agency to Advantage international, Inc., a subsidiary tif'rhe Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. and the appointment of Brian Lawton as Dirtefor of the Hockey Division of Advantage Incernational. 1 hr fitrr rtf mad Crrtertai muff( lrutusltr brrexartrrtt Datts4lN� +rrNl ['ieatraltlnq 3 r ;5��� ''il6tiazbs:l�ti9 �1�'t�ti'7d 3!d!�'1 �.���ur'r•� h 7[ i _.� Go • d SZ:bT 656T—TJ—aHW CURREN'r PROJECTS f/ -Ano rit'tttt / �uct�tyll /, c'a�uN Consulting and investment banking services for an iinviter group tetarding the for- mation of a now professional football league including development of the league structtlre, ptcparatlon of the business and financial plan and negotiation ofstedlum lcase,i in major markets ihrougbout the United States. l i�,u��.r ttr./Incl rt• I jLsgl nLx t':rru+p�l_P Consulting on behalf of group of investors regarding potential investment in the Minursots Limited ParMership which lags been awarded an expansion franchise in the National Hockey League to commence play in the 2000 -Zoos KHL season. Caine Plan's wrvkcs Include an analysis of the offering, the structuring of the transaction, anah'sis of the now arenit project for the construction of a new arena in St. Paul, Ihtla- nosnta and preparation of a coulidential report for the investor group. 11x1& l.Nrrtrfr Hasehrrll Trrtsu— fe11#1i/irrra a 'I lerr.q Consulting on behalf oran individual investor regarding the potential investmicat in a :Major League Raseball team, Came Plan's r, ervices include an analysis or current ownerwhip of a specific major league baseball tram, analysis of assets and liabilities of the team and negotiation with current ownership oil behalf of the prospective Investor, wericun lir-eizairrr Iirrrella. /Hr. Consulting and Investment banking services for Robert r. Walker and Perry F. Sofa - berg. Co -Owners of American Program Bureau, inc., the leader in international lec- ture management and one of the largest lecture agencies in the world with ■ppro.ci. tnately two hundred speakers undcrexcluxive representation including Mikhail Gor- bachev, Steve Forbes, Larry king and a nowt r of present sand former world lead- en. E101 ri't�r_ !'_an, IIIc: - investment banking services for the largest vent management cuatyinn7 in New England including preparation of a Confidential Descriptive Mcmaranduin and Mb -As of potential strategic alliances. •l f jlr !_rci� ue� rc.c htiil T�anl wr_irl ere iI Financial advisory and invesRtteat banking services rm behalf or an investor grouts to assist in obtaining debt financing for the acquisition of a Major League Bustball icain. facility and related properties, The .iparrt and Enmrsadnawat lHAasio • • • • lnrrrtwnt Nank/sW and Gjmvuf•1lrrR S 68'd� •,{ j"�,^, •r��6bz24£4dt9 Vl'1'NH'Id 3W1�!D W��t3�,. �, Y f '' 9� : b t 656 �–Z0–c1�JLJ N Mailml .ytut'A Exchtngs+c;Jjit_ Cunsulting and investment basking services to the third oldest stock exchange in the i:nited Stater with respect to putentiA strategic Alliances and new business oppor•tu- aitics. ffwi_.+Vvc.vt.t' ,171ortOwl— Consulting to an international trading and consulting company with respect to flit rormation of a ChineWAmerican entertainment and sports joint venture company to do business In die Ftoplv'm Republic or China. lirg-t-y,st er Ire Cat Consulting and ini•catment banking services to Roger M. Morino with respect to his investment in the Wor'+cester ice Carts of the American Hockey League. The :Weltgli.Vr•C;r;tib /_1_t" Consulting servievs; to the Medalist Group with respect to the Medalist Tour com- prised of 25 professional women gulfers including Nancy Lopez, Jun Stephenson. Donna Caponi, Hollis Stacy, Jtnc Blalock, Sally Little, Sandra Post and others, Qq CititttV C �rli+e�lrnt . irttlrui[ll: Financial advisor to assist Authority in evatusting its options with respect to Oak- land Athletics including possihio sale of team to new ownership that would commit to long term license agreement with the Coliseum. IltiJutrr� If{Irinck f'a�rrputrt,. �u1. Consulting and 'investment banking services to golf and event marketing and Man- agement firm with respect to potential strategic alliances. 7trc' Spnrls wed Err(a!lYarinNtalrat lndnxtty Inr�rrrptarnt Barrkfiri; vred !'nN.iarlll+l,; 7 1I '�r] •��.i6o8tv44ti9 �-7'1'Ntl'ld 3wd� i.r� 1 f TT d 9? : V T 666T -TO -(1W MAJOR TRA.'VSACTIONS COMPLETV13 BY THE FOUNDERS OF GAME PLAN • Warid Hockey Association !Vierger with Natio.rdl Hockey League ■ Acquisition or Boston Cale" Basketball, Club ■ Agreement between Marriott Hotels and Champions Rcrtanrants ■ 52le of Hartford Whalen to local Ownership 0 Sale of Nang Laborstarles'Asia Operations ! Sale of Hartford Whalers to Connecticut Develtopment Authority ■ Sale of Bob Woolf Associates Sports Agency ■ Sale of Lawton Sport & Financial, inc. to Advantage Internationul ■ Aegoisitioa of Pittsburgh Penguins It'oci ey Club ■ Selection of Boston as 1994 World Cup Soccer Venue (six mietchcs) • Award of Major League Soecor franchise for Boston, MA ■ Formation ornoston Breakers of the United States Football Lcague S .1r,210 of New Orleans Breakers (USFL) to local ownership ■ Development anti Financing of FlcctCenter, Boston, MA (home of llostoa brains & C.'eltics) Sale of Foxboro Stadium to current ownership B Acquisition of bllnneseta North stars IN Sale of 50% interrxt in Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey Club ■ Selection of Bostoa as 1999 Women's World Cup Soccer Ycuu4 (nvo snatches, Tlh• Sprees% dud Entermloxtant laduatr), lnNert/tttnt Barrrtraiq aHal ['«rrxnlr�rl� 8 art'all 1551 9�I6••tLd£1tLT9 ���•Nd-�d 3waV Fax Memorandum To: Bob Asklof, California Youth Soccer Assn. Fax: (209)367-8616 From: Brent Goodrich DaW: March. 1, 1999 Re: Economic impact of.W(X R3* US Youth Soccer Regional Championships Following is a chart with the estimated ecorwmic impact of the four SMC..hE V' US Youth Soccer regional championships held in 1998. The estimates were gadwed from convention 3rd visitors bureaus in each of the host cities. These figures are consistent with estimates from the 1996 and 1997 regional champiorrships as well. Market f# of teams) Visitors Mabel rooms gArvWted El Albuquerque, N.M. (248) 12,000 3,500 nightly $4.2 million Cincinnati (201) 10,000 3,000 nightly $4.0 million Columbus, Ga. (144; 8,000 3,000 nightly $5.0 million Erie/Edinboro, Pa. (268) 15,000 5,000 nightly $10.0 million If you have any questions, please call me at (602) 274-1988. 4715 N 32rd Street. Suite 'C4 • Phoenix. A izona 85018 -Tei: (602) 274-1988 -Fax: (602) 274.2088 Soccer tournament ending twoseyear, run at Erie County sites By KIM CASTLEBERRY —' — Staff writer 1 FACTS ST The Snickers U.S. Youth Soccer gion -I Championship, which this week is arpected o 16ck;l0 mmoa •WHAT: 1998 Snickers U.S. into the local economy for the sec- Youth Soccer Region t and consecutive year, will not return Championship td Foie County in 1999. a WHEN: A kickoff evert will %Un the tournament`s final be held today from 11:30 game concludes an Sunday, the a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Perry Penns3ivania West Soccer Associa- Square in downtown Erie. tion's two -Year cont and with the Opening ceremonies wit competition's sponsor will be up; follow at 6:30 p.m. at Eid1n- The event will move to Rhode island I boro University's Sox Har- nextyear. rison Stadium. The annualSnickers tournaments aSCHEDULE. Games will rotate every two years to new loco- be held Thursday dwough Lions within the mon, organizers Saturday beginning et 9 said. Other regional sites this year a.m. each day at Edinboro include Albuquerque, N.M.; Colum- University and Family Fust bus, Ga; and CincinnatiSports I Park, 8155 Oliver ' The tournament brings in about Road. Finale will be held 15,044 people over the week ceAd, and Sunday beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Family First. I 0 Plans tum to 12A/SOCCER Soccer/Snickers tourney ends two-year run in area ■ Continued from 1A j j they spend money on Mote! rooms, 'restaurants and ahaQpiag." said Bea Carter, president d the Erie Ares Chamber of Commerce. 'So the tournament has • major financial impact on the city of Erie.* Carter said Erie will look toward continuing to attract events that have similar economic si--,Acaaoa "Chis event has been very positive for the community because it has given Erie the chance to showcase itmit;" he said The tournament will kkk off today at li:3o am in Perry Square with two hours of events that include tests of participants' kicking strength and accuracy. A cmwd of 13,000 is expected for the opening ceremonies, which wilt begin at 8:30 pm today at Edinboro Un ersity's Sox Harrison Stadium, Route GN and Perry Lane. The cere- monies will include a 11 eworim dis- play and a parade of the soccer play- ers. Preliminary -round games are scheduled Thursday and Friday, wad semffinal games and the regional chamoionshin finals will take place will begin Thursday ih ok* Satur- day at 9 am. and Sunday at 9:30 am. The Pennsylvania Wed Soccer Association has scheduled pmw using 15 fells at P*nity+ Rink Sports Park and about 20 tselda at Edinboro University. F'aeady Furst. 8155 Oliver Road, will host 49 semifi- nal and final games. The five-day event WM feature 268 boys' and girls' teams reptesentfng 15 state soccer associations from Virginia to Maine. The teams will compete in nine age 9 sups, with more than 450 Barnes scheduled during the four days. The winning teams in the wider - 16 through tinder -20 age groups will V to youth -SDCM,r Nations! Charnpione Jaly 22-26 In Ptwenbt. Nationwide, more than 7,000 teams and 130.000 -players ages 11 to 19 are participating m this year -s youth soccer champioashrps There is no admission charge for games or the opening ceren onies. organizers said. For ora 1 informa- tion. call the Pennsylvania West Soccer Association at 14173 6416-6011. officials said. THE ERIE DAILY TIMES Wed., July 1, 1998 Front Page �u it_.J am== L_j M rra. tttti anssn, . _... Santa Ana Pueblo To Host Soccer Tourney Next Week Area Communities Hoping Field Investment Pays Off BY ANDaEW PADILLA Journal Sto,B'Writer Several area communities invested $1.1 million for soccer fields at Santa Ana Pueblo last year. Next week. they'll find out if the investment paid off. More than 240 teams from throughout the Western United States will converge on the metro ayes next week for the five-day Snick- ers US Youth &xxw Far Was Regional Championship. Organizers any the tournament, frora June 21-27, is expected to book 20,000 hotel room nights and bring about $2.8 million to the Albuquerque metro -am economy. "In addition to using our restaurants and renting vehicles, I'm sure they'll he shop ping," Keith Arnold, president of the Albu- querque Cotivention and Visiter's Bureau. said of the estimated 14,000 visitors expected for the tournament. [est yew. Rio Rancho, Berhalillo County and Sandoval CouAty agreed to apend $250,000 each, and the town of Bernalillo agreed to spend $100,000 to add 14 fields to the eight -field New Mexico Soccer Complex - The complex is near the town of Bernali O on NAL 44 and Jemez Canyon Dam Road. The city of Albuquerque was asked to donate $400,000 over 10 years, but the City Council, so far, has only committed to apend- hlg =40,000. Money collected will pay back $1.1 million in bonds Sandoval County issued to add the fields. The event has come to New Mexico before. 1n 1"3.130 teams played on makeshift soc- cer fields at the Grasslands Sod Farm just outside I as L um. la 1987, teems played on fields around Albuquerque. Mickey Wilson, a member of the host com- ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL Mon., June 15, 1998 Front Page mittee for the New Mexico Youth Soccer Association, which helped organize the tournament, said the events have.been successful in the ppaasa% but his association lost about $20.0001n 1991 "When you have to go out there to create fields from scratch, that gets a little costly," Wilson said. But, he said, Albuquerque's economy bene filed immensely. "Albuquerque Convention and Visitor's Bureau woke up to the fact Youth soccer in this venue is really economic development," Wilson said. The visitor's bureau has been working with tournament organiz- erx to book teams into area hotel -am t$. Arnold said that gives the visitor's bureau a count of how many mums are being rented and allows it to survey spending habits while the visitors are in town. The town of Bernalillo, which has only oat hotel, is trying to take in tourist dollars in other ways. The town's Chamber of Com- merce will have two vans shuttling soccer fans from the fields to its downtown eateries and shops. The idea is to get people to spend money in Bernalillo, Community Development Director Maria Rinal- di said. "Hopefully there'll be exposure to the community that will lead to return visitors," she said Rio Ranchu, on the other hand, says it so far isn't benefiting much from the tournamegt►. Judi Stow, Rio Rancho's tourism director, said reservations at the city's four hotels are dismal. "1 expected that by this time we would probably be completely full," Snow said. "We have some book- ings, certainty, but not nearly as many as 1 had anticipated." The tournament will kick off with opening ceremotties Sunday in the Pit, said Carol Rhodes, chair of the tournament organizing committee. lite For West Reginnal has 248 teams from 14 Western states. Each team had to qualify for the tourna- ment by winning a United States Youth Soccer Association state cup. Games will begin June 22, rue- ning front 8 a.m. to about 8 p.m. Each team is put in a pod of four, with round-robin games set against each of the other teams in the pool. The top teams from each pool meet in the quarterfinals June 25, with the semifinals set for the following day. The finals will be June 27. There are eight age divisions. starting at 11 and ranging to 19. Winners from the four oldest ase groups will advance to the national finals July 22-26 in Phoenix. The tournament brings together many of the West's top players. making it a mecca for college recruiters. . "'Liu best teams are. here." said University of New laexioo women's coach John DeWitt. "to general, the best players are on the best teams. 1'd say 90 percent of the Divtsion 1 seNmis in the West will send a rep- resentative." Gin R09aMS conititxAed to tots /spa 1. ► City has great facility. but Ment plays else vtwc Guerry 0egg columnlel ► Neafiy 250 college coaches in town in search of takmtcl ► Summaries of every game, including scoring; tournament sd*dule. standingslC"9 Columbus ponders its soccer future _= ► Some changes needed at soccer complex to lure mora and bigger tournaments t1y •ndt+nr OeMIMo Staff Writer With the biggest event io hit the Woodivtt Farm Road Soccer Complex In full swing, organizers are now setting . their sights higher. More than 8.000 people — including 2,700 players from. 11 Southern states — have taken over Columbus this weekend for the 1998 Snickers us Youth Soccer Regional Championship. The event has failed motels as far away as Warm Springs and LaGrange. The turnout and high ex- pectations have Rick Gordon, executive director of the Greater Columbus Sports and Events Council. thinking about what's next. "Right now. we're just in the process of strategtzing and figuring out where to go from here." Gordon said. 'We're mainly just trying to come up with a soccer vision for the city.' And that vision — while still fuzzy — is an ambitious one. At the top of the list is a national youth tournament. which would be the next step beyond this week's event See fti0 P A 10 LEDGER -ENQUIRER Columbus, GA Sunday, June 28,1998 Front Page SOCCER/ From Al In order to host a finals and other high-pmflle events, Gor- don said more changes need to be made to the 11 -Held Woodruff Farm Road complex. The complex was expanded to include live €nternation"ze fields with irrigation and light- ing. The total cost of the expan- sion was about $2 million. The complex was expanded through a partnership between the city and prive a businesses. The next major development could be the construction of a championship stadium, which would seat as many as 4MO spectators. Possible stadium construction, along with an in- door facility, are the topics of a series of meetings between the Sports and Events Council and local citizens. No plats have been finalized to continue the expansion. Fans and players have praised Columbus' complex as an ideal venue for large tournaments. The next one is already booked. David Holt, this week's tourna- ment director, said he has lined up a statewide competition for August. "Without a doubt. this is the best soccer complex that the state has to offer," Holt said. Coach Grog Sheen, of Geor- gia's Tophat team from metro Atlanta, said that is why Georgia officials selected Columbus for their go -team state tournament. "It's so open and spacious here, which is better than a lot of the other complexes that try to cram it all IV Sheen said. "This gives us an opportunity to do things that we've never been able to do." In addition to a possible na- tional youth tournament, the complex could host a college tournament or championship in the near future, Gordon said. Officials from the Sports and Events Council have been talk- ing with the Southeastern Con- ference about Its soccer finals. In the last year, the SEC has held four championships In Columbus — 1997 baseball, 1998 women's basketball and the 1997 and 1998 softball. The current youth tournament is the first large event the complex has hosted since its second phase of construction began a year and half ago. it is the first time five new fields have been used. The regloaal has offered the city a perfect chance to show- case the facility. 'This event helped us to build the five flelft- Holt said. "It also gave ns the opportunity to show others what we have to offer. "Aa we Continue to bring events here on this level, were hoping to gain more attention nationally and internationally. - LEDGER -ENQUIRER Columbus, GA Sunday, June 28,1998 Page 2 of 2 • J�l:J.�:L'i !fi Champs crowned ► Atlanta Foottiali C1vo li,nl'ung aN St'aw Nigr's MaWail Leonard cefeat Scwh Teras t a; ;n ctienirne to bit under•1!8 .Cgs 47arnpi0nshtpi5l ► Georgia's Tephalters '97 Gold tear, losers in tr_ regionai sem I,rals eacr of the 2st two seasars, shuts out Flaida 2-3 ;o win under -19 girls championshiplt11114 ► complete roundup and summaries of ail toys arc gads charrpioiship gams/e4 ► Word Cup roJ1dupr84 Kevin S.nith, right, the head coach of tte North Texas soccer team, uses sugar pacW9 to discuss lit -id plays on a table Cale D+ I!aia. Soccer keeps visitors busy ► Many of the tournament families tried to be thrifty during their stay here NY "row Oo#"* Staff Writer Soccer players and their families had little time for anything other than the 1998 Snickers US Youth Soccer Regional Championship. Even so, they came. They saw. And they spent. The regional economic im- pact from the six-day tourna- ment is expected to be $6 million, according to este mates by the Columbus Con- vention & Visitors Bureau, About 8,000 people came to Columbus for ;he tournament, which ended Tuesday Each person was expected to spend an average of $167, based on a 1 3.5 -day stay. One of the winning teems — the North Texas Solarnut �OF t: Under 15 boys team — spent t $15,505 in Columbus, including $7.230 for rooms at the Shere• I ton on Airport Thruway. Parents of the team, which won the regional champion.- Tin ship Tuesday morning, said �y Ju they tried to be thrifty. 'This week has been all ' business for us." said Vickie Bars, whose son Taylor is a ` defender for the team. "Other than eating out and the tournament, we really haven't had tirne to go any- where else around here;" Bars said. Forty-seven players and See SOCCM A'. 2 ciat kick players, coath%and tUa t�oviat.vm� $15.505 - Last Wadrnesday Motday witrr irL-.r.R Alan Gaa* A Van Cakovl a ry,:. LEDGIER-ENQUIRE: :Columbus, G Wei., .July 1, 199 Front Pag SOCCEW From A family members came with the Texas team, and most parents said they used a number of cost-cutting techniques. For meals, for example, they frequented fast-food and family restaurants. "We've been trying to stick with places where meals have been about $6 or $7 at most," said Claudia Purvis, whose son Evan b a forward. "We'll end up eating at fast-food places for wach and nicer restaurants at night." The daily average for meals for the 17 people was $1,175, or $23 per person. The Convention & Visitors Bureau estimated food expenses to be SM per person over a 3.54ay period. Many local restaurants said the tournament boosted sales. "Every night has been like a Friday night for us." Gus Peluso, owner of Cate Di Italia, said. "We've turned away as much business as we have handled." Jeff Dickert, general manager of Applebee's, had to bring in more employees this past week. end. "We've had a 10 percent Increase in silks since they came in tow&" Dickert said. "That's about the normal range for a large event like this." Malty of the visitors said an event like this regains creative preparation. To cut costs, the Purvis family did laundry at Fort Benning. "That really helped us save some money," Purvis said. It was about 50 cents a toad, which is at least half of what we normally spend." Ray Jackson, whose son Jake is a midtlelder for the team, said be and his family of four With sports as the locus, entertainment was not generally on the list of things to do. "Normally. what we find with sports events is that they usually stick to the events themselves and don't do too much outside of it," said Brenda Price, executive director of the Conventibn & Visitors Bureau. ' ben * you spend most of your day doing high physical activities such as these, the last thing you wAnt to do is go out and do more things." But there's always the ex- ception. Linda Smith and her family turned the trip into a "semi-va- cation." semi-va- catioo" "I think we've tried to do every Idnd of tourist activity possible," Smith said. "From Callaway Gardens to Peachtree Mall, I chink we've probably seen just about all of the city." budgeted for the trip. "We planned on spending about SLOW at most for this trip." Jack4on said. "We've pret- ty much stock to that." That bgdget also included money for iris wife. Dan&,.to buy two "exterrhinator tanks,"muld- purpose spNy tanks. from Wal- Mart for about $10. "We've been filling them up with ice pater and spraying everybody with them," Jackson said. "It's a good cheap tray of keeping cool." T'he Lo ' family paged a "virtual refrigerator' In! their car to cut down on meal ekpens- es. "On the way here, weed just stop on the�side of the roped and would hav a picnic," tonna Long said. "It's also helped when the kids wanted something to snack on while we're hemi. - LEDGE RLENQUIRER ere." LEDGERLENQUIRER Columbus, GA Wed., July 1, 1994 Page 2 of 2 i e Soccer � swarm 1 headed our way 10,000 may boost economy by $4M BY LUCY MAY The Cincinnati FMQWW An eatinated 10,000 Boxer moms, dads and kids from across the Midwest will de- scead on Cincinnati this week- end for t& U.S. Soccer Youth Regional Championsdip in An- derson Township. The viaitora will ]lick $4 mil- Ina abfiat into the local economy, said Jim Manda, owcutive director Of the Ohio South Youth Soccer Association. The Greater Car ciooad Convention & visitors Bureau estnnatn that number 1 t 14.5 million. Ij The event — one of four regional championships -- is a big deal in youth soccer terms. too, Mr. Marteh said. "This is the toad to the Final Foto." Top boys tad gats teams in age divisiow�rom 13 to 20 will advance to the U.S. Youth Soc- cer National Championship in Phoeabt next mouth. For the Midwest tourna- ment, the association has booked 3,000 roams in nearly three daaen hotels, Mr. Mattel - la said. Families, players and coaches will start arriving Thursday and stay as long as next Wednesday, the last day of the tournament. The Holiday inn Eastpte is the host hotel, but neat# types will 511 rooms as far soiuth as Boone county. White the 3,260 par 'pants will play their nearly 35 tour - flaunt groes at r :Creek on Park in AndersToohtp downtown Cincinnati feel the crunch from the drowds Friday. The association elpects 10,000 people to attend open" mg cereaoom at 5:30 p� rn. at The Croom, just in tude for rush hour. They should fed at The Soccer lnd» c°`�`il of America in Palm Bea Fla.. raked County ah s metropolitan area for soccer participation in 1997. Kansas City was first. Sorer mioma andtMd!- minivans vont bethetaa sports entbusiasriing local roads and haters; The U.S. Elite Road gcting Championships will take! place Thursday through Suety is Love4M and downtown. In all, 375 cyclists wiX take part, many of chem for spots at the Wodd onships and 2000 011►nspic Games. The cycling event was one reason soccer vWtoca bad to be spread over so many ltotel rooms, Mr. Martella said. THE CINCINNATI $NQUIRER Wed., Jame 24, 1998 Front Page Soccer series a big BY CHRISTINE WOL" The Cincimati Enquirer ANDERSON TOWNSHIP — The snow cone count sits at 5,000. Drinks number 1,000 cases, and ice is caning in by the truckload. Hamburg- er and hotdog buts stack up to about 16,000.. Consemdvely, that should begin to feed and cool off the crowd of 10.000 soccer play- ers and fans expected be gitr ning this weekend at Clear Creek Park. ` "We have plenty more stuff on hand. When you throw a party like this, you don't want to nut out of food." said Molly McClure, executive director of the Anderson Park District. Clear Creek Park — 100 flat acres of lush, green grass stretching north off Ohio 32 near Newtown — is lost for the Snickers US. Youth Soc- cer Midwest Regional Champi- onship, a fire -day tournament running Saturday through Wednesday. The tmu cement v M bring about 3,260 players in 350 Stones to Clear Creek's 20 soccer fields. The event is the biggest so far at the 2 -}ear -old par , woe of the newest in that Anderson Park District. A sign to mark Clear Creek Park's entrance goes up today. Wednesday, tart o1fickis worked on details. Center stage is the Oasis, a shelter area burn last fuse. A conces- sion stand and restrooms ex- tend out the sides in movable trailers, the park, in a flood Plain. soaked under about a foot of rooter duriq the '97 flood. Large, striped tents in blue, red and green dot the acreage to give players shade on the treeless tract. just party NYN P ► What The S-10ers US. Youth Soccer Midwest Re- pot! Chatnpionship. ► Where: Clear Geek Park 6518 Ohio 32, Anderson Township, west of Newiorsn. ► Wharc Saturday through Wednesday. ► Times: Next -stop sr>aa ppa�ures. SaUrday, Y. bbr>Oay, B am. to 6:15 p.m.; Tuesday, semifinal games, 9 a.m. to 12:30 pin.: Wednes- day, finals, 6 a.m. to noon. ► Cott Frae. ► Panda¢ Free, on site. Tips for tpeehan M weather am etroeettld W. Ow"Iree heeL P. Bring ima chairs. No bleacher seating provided. P. Wear sunscreen and a tot ar bring an Umbrella. 10Omk plenty of water and IUices, Avoid caffeine drinks and alcohol. Pump engines rhugpd, trying to draio rainwater mw gullies. Tweaty sky -list por- tahk talets wil supplmtest the park's regufar faalitiea Parldng for about 3,000 ;ars will be available. peak orrkials estimate. Park rase; era and several Hamr7toa County abeciffs deputies will handle ftwx control on two- line Ohio 32 — the only way in and out. Clear Creek — tamed for the creek running along its north treefine — opened in 1996, about the same time the park district booked the meW (Please see SOCCER. Pate 133) CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Thurs., Jun$ 25, 1998 Page 83 i I I I I Soccer: Lots of ice-cold drinks ready CONTURW nOM PACE s, soma Wammut. John Hbmeaboo"forward to the fife of sorra-loam an flowing Brom hotels wound Ifterahte 275 down Ohio 32, right n front of bin AmesiStop Food Mut in Newtown, a toapk of mks UK of gar C"&"Asy nnmy weekend is good for us Samth, wm d & is t of the ake," end 'Tfi or da done to doable what I would normaDy orda in drinb. I won't be Ate to keep water sad Gatorade if THE CINCINNATI ENQPIRER Thurs., June 2$, 1998 Pagel 2 of 2 � Fields i of � dreams Soccer tournament fulfills developer's vision of Family First Sports Park. By KIM CASTLEBERRY Staff writer When Gary W. Renaud envisioned Family First Sports Park in 1991, he saw children. Four years later, the park's fields are swarming with more titan 5,000 boys andgirls competing in the 1998 Snickers U.S. Youth Soccer Region- al tournament, which began Thurs- day and concludes Stmday. "God pieced a vision in my heart to ase sports as a way of gettinout into the community and heting those who are in need" said Re- naud, the pant's developer and chief executive of Erie Steel Products Co. I "The park ansa to try and help children develop character and make appropriate Lifestyle ded- sions," he said. "We avant to talk to them about issues they have to deal with, like promiscuity and drugs." By focusing on team sports, Fami- ly First strives to teach children about the importance of values like honesty and integrity, said Gary Smallshaw, the %c ty's marketing director. I When Farniiy Fast opened in No- vember 1994, it focused on soccer, with two indoor Selds and 20 out- door fields coveting 70 acres in Summit Township. Those fields helped the park land the Snickers U.S. Youth Soccer Re- gional Championship series in 1997. This is the second year that Famityr Ftrst, along with Edinboro Universi- ty, hu been involved with Lite tour- nament for players ages t 1 to 19. i The Snicks competition is the third major r tournament be played at F Fast this year The tactility hosted USA Co ntal Alliance Cup Memorial Day weekend and the Flagship To went in June. But soccer i no longer the;only sport at Fancily+ rat i "We have tried to get afoan the oaFy to! bow by having nts and that ittciude basks football vol- leyba8 in don to twcier," Smallshaw said. "1 never Toned having boil in the p " ia»d d But tare park ted a four-day Wt - ball camp last nd that izm lud- ad trine athletes and 160 partichan i The $2.1 m 8155 Oliver 0 ■ Please tum I spa was ERIE DAILY TIMES! Fri., July 3, 19981' Page C1 i • Coftnued from i C land owned by First Assembly Of God. lbs Church leased the land to Renaud for $1 a year for 40 years. Most of the initial funding came from the Renaud larmily and a fund- raising camps PL .. Fb% AA3sem* of God is a very outgoing church and has provided numerous ser T—I for the commu- nity,' Renaud said `The church Waxed the land on iia own benevo- lence and desire to do mare for the c*=%ity- Atthoaga Family First is a for- protlt tardily, it includes a nonprofit prnlgraa caped qMU Outreach. lbrough scholarships, the program helps needy children take part in the leagues, clinics and temps. By pcwiding scholarships, we aim to get as many Children as pos- sible involved with the park," Re - baud said . With a ]2,000-squsre-foot fitness center scheduled to open in Septem- ber, however, the park is usutig sports to include adults, Said. "fine of the biggest probl fac- ing families today is 6ndinO�a to spend " be said to make�arniiy First a plam where everyone can come and play. The hralth center is intended to give parents a place to while their children are playirsg or basiefbaD, Smallahaw said Although the 5tk►ess center will -be more adulteriented, the s pri- mary focus will sO be on Smatlshaw said "We hope to get more an more kids involved with the park yard to keep offering them additional pro- g7ram mrng," Renaud said The Snickers U.S. Youth 'Soccer Region I ChanVioriship fincon- etude Sunday with the pion - ship finals Scheduled to at 9:50 am. at Flashily First ERIE DULY TIME Fri., .duly 3,199 'Page 2 of i i i i i