Sports Commission enjoys successful first event
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission’s first event, the USAV Junior Beach Series at the Dock, was proclaimed a successful venture by Mike Meyers, Director of “Dig It” volleyball.
With only three weeks to put together the event Meyers and Tournament Director, Rick Rechtien hosted fifteen two man teams at the volleyball facility at the Dock Saturday, July 12th. The event went off with out a hitch and made the player feel a part of something special for the future of volleyball here on the Coast.
With such a short time frame the Sports Commission stepped forward to provide additional funding to help the juniors pay their USAV membership fees to give the tournament organizers support for their efforts. Meyers stated, “Given the time frame we felt it in the best interest of the event to have the membership fees waived due to it was the final event of the USAV series and the players would not have had the opportunity to play in another event after this one.” “This way these juniors were able to experience playing under the USAV rules which are the same as the official Olympic rules.”
John Dane III, Chairman of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission said that, ” this continues our mission statement of providing quality events and improving the quality of life for people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.” “To have the opportunity to be a part of an event for the juniors so that they can experience a great tournament format, we are proud to have this chance to make it happen.” ”Our thanks goes out to Mike and Rick for making this go so well given the time frame in which they had to work with.”
The July 12th event had better attendance than the three previous USAV tournaments along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida which may have give some indication of the level of excitement for volleyball here in this region.
Meyers also said, “We are looking to continued growth of this sport here as we move forward. Having the turnout and the great time by all of the participants we see this as the first of many volleyball events for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Rick Rechtien stated that league play at the Dock will be starting up in the near future and a grand opening of the 14 courts built here is scheduled sometime around Labor Day. “We are looking to get the same excitement as the facility in New Orleans has from it’s residents to come out and have good time, have some fun and enjoy the competition.”
When the league play will begin is still not determined for the two, four and six person leagues including women, men and co-ed but all will begin at the same time. “We are thinking about a cash tournament during the Labor Day time frame which may be the perfect time to launch these leagues and continue in to the fall,” Rechtien stated.
For information regarding play or league nights contact Rick Rechtien at (228)276-1714.
