November 15, 2006
Editor's Note: Greetings from the St. Louis Sports Commission. The upcoming NCAA Men’s Soccer College Cup kicks off yet another exciting stretch for the Sports Commission and St. Louis. Five big events in nine months! After hosting the NCAA Division I soccer championship Dec. 1 & 3, St. Louis welcomes the NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional March 23 & 25 and the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four April 5 & 7. The Sports Commission produces the National Sportsmanship Awards June 21 and joins the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission in organizing the Missouri vs. Illinois Football State Farm Arch Rivalry Sept. 1. But before kickoff, before the ball is tipped, before the puck is dropped, the boxes must be packed. As you’ll see below, in addition to preparing for our upcoming events, the Sports Commission is moving to a new office. Please be sure to note our new address. We’re looking forward to getting settled in – and then enjoying all of the great moments and memories that are ahead. In the meantime, we wish you a happy holiday season and thank you so much for your support! |
The Sports Commission will have a new home on Nov. 28. The organization is moving with the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission to America’s Center – just a few blocks away from its current address. The move to the convention center complex keeps alive the great relationship shared by the Sports Commission and the CVC. You’ll now find the Sports Commission at: 701 Convention Plaza – Suite 300 Phone and fax numbers remain the same. |
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There’s been great anticipation for the NCAA Men’s College Cup, which returns to St. Louis for the first time in 30 years. Tickets sold out in the first week they were available – a reminder of the region’s reputation as a soccer hotbed. The games are Dec. 1 & 3 at Saint Louis University’s Robert R. Hermann Stadium, with the sport and the region’s unique affinity for it celebrated all weekend long. On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Missouri Athletic Club will host its Hermann Trophy Presentation honoring the top male and female Division I soccer players. Tickets are $60 and are available to the public. For reservations, call 314-539-4470 or click here. Youth soccer players will have a special role in the College Cup. Several local teams will serve as “team greeters,” welcoming the final four teams when they arrive at the Championship Welcome Banquet Nov. 30. Boys and girls ages 10 to 16 are also invited to participate in the free NCAA YES Clinic on Dec. 2. For more information, call 314-206-7385 or click here. In addition to the visiting fans following their teams to the College Cup, more than 1,500 elite high school club players from around the nation will be in town for the weekend. They’re competing in a showcase organized by Metro United and the St. Louis Soccer Club. |
You can find more details on the 2006 College Cup, including information on the schedule of events, hotels, parking, the YES Clinic, and more at the local organizing committee's website. The Sports Commission and Saint Louis University – the hosts of the 2006 College Cup – are looking forward to a very special weekend in “Soccer City, U.S.A.” |
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| The Sports Commission and College Hockey America host the 2007 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four April 5 & 7 at Scottrade Center. With the event already sold out, the local organizing committee is planning several activities to enhance the fan experience and provide those without tickets a chance to be part of the Frozen Four. Additionally, the Sports Commission and the St. Louis Blues are reaching out to include the area’s youth hockey community. The Blues plan to conduct a local youth hockey skills competition that will culminate the week of the Frozen Four. On Friday, April 6, a youth hockey fest will take place prior to the Frozen Four Skills Competition at Scottrade Center. The Hobey Baker and Hockey Humanitarian Award presentations will occur that night as well. More details on these and other events will be announced soon. Meanwhile, Sports Commission Members will have the opportunity to purchase Frozen Four tickets as part of the organization’s allotment. Information will be sent this month. In addition, a limited number of suites and VIP packages are available for the Frozen Four. VIP packages include tickets and hospitality. For more information, call Karli Juenger at 314-206-7388. The Frozen Four is one of 10 NCAA Division I championships hosted by the Sports Commission and its local partners this decade.
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St. Louis’ local organizing committee for the Frozen Four – the “red army” – showed up in force at the 2006 championship in Milwaukee to prepare to host the event in 2007. |
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Two weeks before the Frozen Four, St. Louis hosts the 2007 NCAA Men’s Basketball St. Louis Regional. The “Sweet 16” and “Elite 8” rounds of the NCAA Tournament take place March 23 & 25 at the Edward Jones Dome. Tickets are available and may be purchased by clicking here. (Sports Commission Members will be able to purchase tickets through the organization in December.) Volunteer information for the Regional will be posted in early 2007 on the “Volunteer” page of the Sports Commission’s website. |
In October, Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder announced that the state will host the inaugural Tour of Missouri professional cycling race Sept. 11-16, 2007. The announcement was made at a news conference hosted by the Sports Commission and the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. The Tour of Missouri is expected to start in the western part of the state and finish in or around St. Louis. |
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It will cover some 600 miles and highlight urban and rural parts of the Show Me State. The race will include up to 16 major international professional teams. In its initial year, the Tour of Missouri will join the prestigious Tour of Georgia and Tour of California as one of the nation’s top three stage races. For more information on the Tour of Missouri, click here. |
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It has been a busy time for the Sports Commission’s transaction wire. The organization recently welcomed two new staff members, hiring Karli Juenger as director of event sales & marketing and Noah Cohan as communications manager. Juenger, a St. Louis native, returns to her hometown after working for Global Spectrum in Kansas City where she was director of marketing and public relations at Kemper Arena. At the Sports Commission, she fills a newly created position that will focus on marketing tickets and sponsorships for the organization’s events. Cohan takes over as the Sports Commission’s communications manager, a position previously filled by Doug Bray. Cohan will be responsible for the Sports Commission’s organizational and event communications, media relations, website, and production of collateral. Additionally, the Sports Commission promoted Kelly Roberts to event manager. Roberts has been with the organization since 2003. As event coordinator, she played a significant role in the operational success of several recent Sports Commission events, including the 2004 and 2005 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The Sports Commission family also celebrated the birth of Ian Nicholas Kaburakis, son of Kristin Folkl-Kaburakis, the organization’s director of development and former area high school basketball and volleyball standout. Ian was born on Aug. 29. Congratulations to Kristin and husband Tassos! |
Ian Nicholas Kaburakis |
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In August, the Sports Commission hosted a “Coach it Right!” soccer clinic at Saint Louis University. More than 100 youth coaches turned out for the free instructional clinic featuring SLU head coach Dan Donigan, assistant coach Mike Sorber, and 1998-99 Academic All-American Kevin Kalish. The Sports Commission produces “Coach it Right!” clinics as part of its Sportsmanship Initiative. The clinics develop the skills of participants and encourage coaches and parents to be “good sports.” These efforts make the athletic experiences for young athletes more enjoyable and help keep them active in sports so they lead healthier, happier lives. |
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Dale Schilly of the Metro United Soccer Club shared his expertise at the recent "Coach it Right!" soccer clinic. |
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The Sports Commission’s Sportsmanship Initiative recently began a partnership with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Newspapers in Education program that will promote sportsmanship in the classroom and at home. Beginning this month, a weekly half-page feature will run in the Post-Dispatch highlighting an award winner from the National Sportsmanship Awards. The “Stories of Sportsmanship” series will expose area students to the outstanding role models who are recognized at the event produced by the Sports Commission and the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance. The features will highlight the value of sportsmanship, include character education activities, and provide lessons students can apply to all areas of life. Additionally, parents will find tips they can use to make the athletic experiences for their children more enjoyable. It’s all part of the Sports Commission’s efforts to create more positive environments for kids to play sports so that they will remain active and lead healthier, happier lives. More than 10,000 area educators were offered the opportunity to participate in the program and receive newspapers at no cost. |
The fourth annual Taste of the NFL, presented by Edward Jones, raised more than $75,000 for the Sports Commission’s Youth Programs and the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Held in September at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in Creve Coeur, the event offered attendees a chance to mingle with Rams players and cheerleaders while enjoying outstanding dishes prepared by chefs from St. Louis’ top restaurants. Rams players in attendance included event captain La’Roi Glover, Stephen Davis, and 2006 first round draft pick Tye Hill. The Sports Commission salutes the St. Louis Rams organization for its generous annual support of Taste of the NFL. Special thanks also to the participating restaurants and chefs; sponsors Edward Jones, Emerson, Regions Bank, and National City; event emcee Malcolm Briggs; and all who were in attendance. |
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Cornerback Tye Hill was among the Rams players greeting fans at Taste of the NFL 2006. |
The Sports Commission thanks U-Gas for its generous support. For the eighth straight year, U-Gas made the Sports Commission’s Sports Foundation a beneficiary of its annual golf tournament. This year’s tournament took place in September at Tapawingo National Golf Club and generated $15,000 for the organization’s Youth Programs. Funds will be used to implement programming and activities that enrich the lives of area children through sports. The Sports Commission and U-Gas thank Conoco-Phillips for sponsoring the grand prize – an Alaskan Cruise – and Grey Eagle Distributors for donating their first place prize to the Sports Foundation. |
| The Sports Commission congratulates Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Board Director Brad Hewitt (SIUE athletic director) on the school’s men’s basketball victory over Nebraska on Saturday. The Division II Cougars beat the Division I Cornhuskers 54-50 in an exhibition game in Lincoln, Neb. SIUE, ranked No. 3 in Division II, opens the regular season Nov. 15 against the Division I Bradley Braves in Peoria, Ill. |
The Final Four... Frozen Four... College Cup... U.S. Figure Skating Championships... NCAA Wrestling Championships... U.S. Olympic Trials... Missouri-Illinois Football... National Sportsmanship Awards… The one constant in all of these events is the St. Louis Sports Commission. You can be part of the organization responsible for delivering the best in sports to America’s best sports city by becoming a Friend of the Sports Commission. Friends make an annual $100 contribution and help the Sports Commission fulfill its mission of making St. Louis a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports. To become a Sports Commission Friend, or for information on how you can support the organization at a higher level as a Champion or Partner, please call Marc Schreiber at 314-992-0683 or simply click here. The Sports Commission salutes its current Partners, Champions and Friends for their support. The list of companies and individuals supporting the organization's development programs appears below. |
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Frank Viverito |
President |
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Jan Carlock |
Executive Assistant / Office Manager |
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Noah Cohan |
Communications Manager |
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Kristin Folkl-Kaburakis |
Director of Development |
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Troye Frank |
Foundation Director |
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Karli Juenger |
Director of Event Sales & Marketing |
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Kelly Roberts |
Event Manager |
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Chris Roseman |
Vice President - Event Acquisition & Management |
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Marc Schreiber |
Vice President - Marketing & Development |
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Gina Bauman |
Business Manager |
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Janie Mackey |
Intern |
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Annie McMullin |
Intern |
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Justin Ward |
Intern |
2006 NCAA Men's Soccer College CupDec. 1 & 3, 2006 – Robert R. Hermann Stadium |
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2007 NCAA Men's Basketball St. Louis RegionalMarch 23 & 25, 2007– Edward Jones Dome |
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2007 NCAA Men's Frozen FourApril 5 & 7, 2007 – Scottrade Center |
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National Sportsmanship AwardsJune 21, 2007 – Chase Park Plaza Khorassan Ballroom |
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Missouri vs. Illinois Football SeriesSept. 1, 2007 – Edward Jones Dome |
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2008 NCAA Division I Wrestling ChampionshipsMarch 20-22, 2008 – Scottrade Center |
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Missouri vs. Illinois Football SeriesAug. 30, 2008 – Edward Jones Dome |
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2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling ChampionshipsMarch 19-21, 2009 – Scottrade Center |
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2009 NCAA Women’s Final FourApril 5 & 7, 2009 – Scottrade Center |
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Missouri vs. Illinois Football SeriesSept. 5, 2009 – Edward Jones Dome |
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Missouri vs. Illinois Football SeriesSept. 4, 2010 – Edward Jones Dome |
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2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball St. Louis RegionalMarch 2010 – Edward Jones Dome |
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Doug & Anne Albrecht |
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CARHILL |
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FastSigns – Bridgeton |
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Schnucks |
St. Clair County |
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Arnold & Hazel Donald |
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Hyatt Regency – |
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Walter Lamkin |
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Legacy Building Group |
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Michael J. Milne, M.D., LLC |
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Missouri Athletic Club |
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The Roberts Companies |
St. Louis City Center |
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Rob Trulaske |
Unico, Inc. |
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(As of Nov. 7, 2006)
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