Tournament opens on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 at the Biloxi Indian Stadium beginning at 2 PM each day. 

Seven countries have confirmed participation in the 2009 tournament and competing countries include Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Republic of South Korea, and the United States.  Originally, eight teams confirmed to play in the competition but Bulgaria has withdrawn from the tournament.  The United States, as the hosting country, will play the opening game against defending champion, Germany, on Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 PM.  A blind draw established play and teams will compete as follows:  

Saturday, June 6 2009	2 – 4 PM	USA vs. Germany		Biloxi High School  Indian Stadium
	4 – 6 PM	Netherlands vs. France
	6 – 8 PM	Brazil vs. Korea
Sunday,  June 7 2009	2 – 4 PM	Germany vs. Brazil		Biloxi High School  Indian Stadiums
	4 – 6 PM	France vs. Canada
	6 – 8 PM	Korea vs. USA
Tuesday,  June 9 2009	3 – 5 PM	Brazil vs. USA		Sportsplex, Gulfport MS
	3 – 5 PM	Korea vs. Germany
	5 – 7 M	Netherlands vs. Canada
Thursday,  June 11 2009	4 – 6 PM	Semi Final 1	Winner A vs. Second B	Biloxi High School  Indian Stadiums
	6 – 8 PM	Semi Final 2	Winner B vs.. Second A
Saturday, June 13 2009	Noon – 2 PM	Bronze Medal Match		Biloxi High School  Indian Stadiums
	2 – 4 PM	Gold Medal Match
	4 – 4:30 PM	Medals Presentation
	4:30 – 5 PM	Closing Ceremony

On Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 the tournament will feature many family activities including children’s games and drawings for prizes that will take place throughout the day.  Children, from 8 – 18 years of age, are encouraged to register each day of the tournament for their chance to receive a kick where they could win a $10,000 scholarship.  Adults, 18 years and older, are encouraged to register each day too for a chance to receive a kick where they could win a Pontiac G8.  Drawing for both kicks will take place during the Gold Medal Match on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 PM.  Registered participants must be present to win.  A Junior Clinic for children up to 18 years will take place at Academy Sports on Friday, June 12 from 10:00 AM to noon.  Players from all participating countries will attend to assist children with soccer fundamentals and will be available for autographs too.  All games and activities are free and open to the public. 

The International Military Sports Council, known by its acronym “CISM”, is an international sports association composed of the armed forces of member nations accepted by the General Assembly. CISM is open to the armed forces of all nations.The aims of CISM are to develop friendly relations between the Armed Forces of member nations, promote physical education and sports activities, provide mutual technical assistance, support less privileged members in the name of friendship and solidarity, contribute towards the balanced and harmonious development of military personnel, and contribute to the international effort for universal peace.

 This ideal is encapsulated in the CISM motto:

“FRIENDSHIP THROUGH SPORT”.

For more information on CISM, please visit their website:  http://www.cism-milsport.org/eng/welcome.html

Event Sponsors include Keesler Air Force Base, Keesler Federal Credit Union, USO, Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission, and Keesler Services.

For more information concerning details of the event, please call Mr. Mooers, 228-377-0123, or e-mail brian.mooers@keesler.af.mil, and you can check the Keesler website at www.keesler.af.mil.  The Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission can also provide information pertaining to the CISM Tournament at 228-276-1713.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission (www.msgcsc.org) has scheduled a National Football Combine for 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th graders for the Gulf Coast that will help them qualify for college football scholarships.

Area coaches and athletic directors have been working toward pre-registering student athletes for the National Underclassmen Combine which is scheduled for March 14, 2009 at Ocean Springs Greyhound Stadium. The Schuman’s National Underclassmen Combine will have students competing for awards and rankings against their respective age groups.

Scott Ratcliff, Executive Director of the Sports Commission stated, “The Schuman’s Underclassmen Combine has shown their commitment to football with 75% of participants in the Underclassmen Combine going on to play college football.”

He said the program is designed to bring a new level of competition for athletes on the Gulf Coast but also provide them with the opportunity to compete at a national level if they make the “Ultimate 100 Camp.”

Ratcliff said forty percent (40%) of all ultimate camp participants have received D-1 scholarship offers, the highest of any program in the USA. The competition will give student athletes the chance to experience a football combine while learning techniques and skills to further their opportunities for college scholarships at D-1 and D-2 schools.

Ratcliff said the cost is normally $120 per athlete at the combine, but the advance registration is only $85, with a 20% discount offered with a Discount CODE for online registration. As host site, Ocean Springs athletes will have a 50% discount to compete in the Combine. Coaches and athletic directors can get more information and the Combine Discount Code to reserve a spot by calling 228-276-1713.

“The goal is to have this as a yearly event that will move to the different high school facilities as to highlight these facilities to a regional audience. Given Ocean Springs and Biloxi who have just implemented artificial turf from EnviroTurf Services and Gulfport, which has one of the best natural fields in the State of Mississippi, we feel this is another opportunity to recognize the level of commitment from the Coast for premier facilities,” Ratcliff also stated.

Events Include:  

·         40 Yard Dash

·         Pro Agility Shuttle

·         Bench Press:

·         Broad Jump

·         Vertical Jump

·         One on Ones

·         Position Skills

 A key component of the National Underclassmen Combine is that athletes will be competing against a regional contingency of athletes all of whom will have their information posted on Shuman’s website and will be competing for scholarship money to go toward their college education. The Sports Commission along with EnviroTurf Services, e-Fitness & Wellness, Parisi Speed School will be the major sponsors of the event and realize this event’s importance in growing the product of sports on the Gulf Coast.

 The Underclassmen Combine gives athletes exposure of the young athlete’s abilities through Shuman’s partnerships with Maxpreps, Scout.com, Tom Lemming, ESPN, and Jim Stefani along with all college coaches who use these results to rank players in the scholarship selection process.

 Each player will receive a free athletic profile on the Underclassmen website for them to forward information to colleges, get free consultation, post combine results and have their results viewed by every major recruiting bureau. This coupled with sponsors such as Eastbay, Rivals.com, NCSA, the Army All-American Game and results of the combine being viewed by every college in the USA from level 1-A, 1-AA, 2 and 3 will give athletes competing in the Underclassmen Combine every chance to enhance their opportunities to play at the collegiate level.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast will be

SMOKIN’

During the months of March and April 2009 the Mississippi Gulf Coast residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience the sheer power of two major racing events as a part of a two-weekend combination of Smokin’ the Sound and Smokin’ the Lake.

Smokin’ the Sound and Smokin’ the Lake will run consecutively with Smokin’ the Sound taking off first March 27-29 and Smokin’ the Lake the following weekend April 3-5. Both events will carry high powered and high-speed boats. Smokin’ the Sound will have the Offshore Super Series (OSS) powerboats clocking speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour in the Mississippi Sound and Smokin’ the Sound will carry drag-boats running with speeds topping 100 miles per hour in Gulfport Lake.

Promoters of the events are Woody Bailey, Rusty David and Asher Travis who have successfully brought powerboat racing to the Gulf Coast and look to have another successful event this year. “We started working with the Offshore Super Series in 2004 and have seen the event grow each year,” said Woody Bailey, Executive Director of the event. ”We did not hold an event in 2006 after Katrina but we brought it back in 2007 and look at this as another great year for this event.”

Offshore Super Series events have entertained audiences from Sunny Isles, FL to the Ozarks in Missouri with Smokin’ the Sound kicking off the 2009 schedule. Other events will have their work cut out for them following the Mississippi Gulf Coast event. Rusty David says, “We have been working to perfect our approach to how we can make this event the best on the schedule. We look to continually raise the bar with this event to keep our stature as one of the leading events on the circuit.”

With premium spectator viewing areas at the Isle Casino, Hard Rock Casino and the Beau Rivage Casino the public can watch the racing while enjoying the hospitality at each of these sponsor hotels and casinos. Duncan McKenzie, General Manager of the Hard Rock Casino said, “We look forward to another great event for the Gulf Coast. As this event has evolved we have seen more excitement from the local viewers and from our hotel guest. That is why we are involved with it as a major sponsor.”

This is the first year for Smokin’ the Lake with the competition on Gulfport Lake. The Dock Bar & Grill will be the host site with a racing village for the competitors and vendors. Fans will be able to view the boats and talk with boat owners to ask questions and get autographs. “John Dane III, owner of the Dock is looking forward to bringing this first year event to the Coast. “In building the Dock we have made a considerable investment for the Coast and this event gives us the opportunity highlight what we have been able to bring to the Coast post Katrina. Our facilities here is one of the best in the country and having Smokin’ the Lake is another way for us to get involved with the community to bring business to the Coast.

With Smokin the Lake being added to the event schedule Woody Bailey hopes to see an added bonus in the amount of economic impact for the Coast. “If Smokin’ the Sound is any indication of what we can do for the area, with Smokin’ the Lake, the Gulf Coast should see a considerable economic impact in room nights, food and entertainment and with the fuel consumed by these competitors. Smokin’ the Sound is important to the area due to the fact that it highlights natural resources such as the Gulf of Mexico and Gulfport Lake where each of these events will be staged. Given the past record of Woody Bailey Jr. with Crusin’ the Coast everyone should see a well run event that will present the Gulf Coast as a top racing area.

More information about Smokin’ the Sound and Smokin’ the Lake go to www.smokinthesound.com

Tuesday, March 24 & Wednesday, March 25

·         Race teams arrive

Thursday, March 26 Race Village Open.

·         7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Sponsor-VIP Race Team Party. Meet the Race Teams at the Coast Nightclub inside Beau Rivage Casino & Resort.

Friday, March 27

·         10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Race Village Open.

·         7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Meet the Race Teams at the Hard Rock Casino Center Bar.

Saturday, March 28 – Pro-Am Racing and Qualifying

·         10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Race Village Open.

Sunday, March 29 – Race Day

·         10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Race Village Open.

Schedule for Smokin’ The Lake

Friday, April 3

·         Race teams arrive.

·         6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Race Village at The Dock Open. (Race Boats on display)

·         7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Meet the Racers at The Dock Bar & Grill.

Saturday, April 4

·         9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Race Village at The Dock Open.

·         11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Smokin’ The Lake races. All 7 classes of boats.

★Performance Bass & Ski - Entry-level racing for Lake Boats and Bass Boats.

★Pro Stock -Race Hulls utilizing stock production Mercury 2.5 Laser/XRI EFI 200 motors.

★Super Stock - Race Hulls utilizing carbureted motors only.

★Lake Racer -Lake Boats and Bass Boats with modified & hi-performance motors.

★1400 Modified Production - Race hulls with modified motors utilizing OEM parts.

★Pro Gas -Race hulls using modified motors with aftermarket parts.

★Outlaws - Any hull 16-foot minimum boat length. 1/8 mile course (660 feet).

·         7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Meet the Racers at The Dock Bar & Grill.

Sunday, April 5

·         9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Race Village at The Dock Open.

·         11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Smokin’ The Lake races. All 7 classes of boats.

All events and times are subject to change.

You can find updates at www.smokinthesound.com.

 NEWS RELEASE

_______For Release Wednesday, October 24, 2008_________

SPORTS COMMISSION SELLING SPONSOR PACKAGES

FOR NEW YEAR’s HOLIDAY EVENT AT COLISEUM

OLE MISS vs. USM on

       DECEMBER 30

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission (www.msgcsc.org) has joined with the Mississippi Coast Coliseum to offer VIP Sponsor Packages for the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi men’s basketball game on December 30, 2008.

Scott Ratliff, Sports Commission Executive Director, joined in the announcement with Matt McDonnell, Coliseum Assistant Director, to detail the sponsor opportunities for Gulf Coast businesses and individuals interested in a major event on the New Year’s Holiday Sports Calendar.

“This game between Ole Miss and USM has the opportunity to become a significant part of the New Year’s sporting calendar here on the Gulf Coast, to add to the bowl game venues like the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans and the Senior Bowl in Mobile,” McDonnell said.

“We look to start this as a yearly tournament that can lead to a possible larger event for the future,” said longtime basketball enthusiast and tourism leader Chevis Swetman, a Sports Commission Board Member

Ratliff said the sponsorship packages range from the GOLD Package that offers:

• 16 VIP Reserved Seat Tickets at the Terrace level.
• 4 VIP Reserved Seat Tickets at Courtside
• 10 VIP Parking Passes
• 20 Hospitality Room Passes
• 2 Three foot by eight foot sponsor banners inside the arena
• 1 Thirty-second video message displayed on Coliseum scoreboard
• Listing as an Event SPONSOR on the scoreboard and in event publicity

            He said the cost of the GOLD Sponsor Package is $2,500, with the Silver Sponsor Package priced at $1,000. The Bronze Sponsor Package priced at $500. The Silver Package includes eight VIP Reserved seats, plus additional sponsor benefits like the Gold, and the Bronze includes four VIP Reserved seats, plus additional sponsor benefits similar to the Silver Package.

            Ratliff said interested companies can contact the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission (www.msgcsc.org) at (228)282-3951 or the Mississippi Coast Coliseum to take advantage of these packages.

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.

The Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball Tournament was sponsored by the Sports Commission and the Dock Restaurant in July 12 in Gulfport. It was one of four pleminary tournaments leading up to the 2008 Grand Championships held July 26 in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Sports Commission Executive Director Scott Ratcliff said the Dock Restaurant has made a major investment to build a professional beach volleyball facility, on Seaway Road in Gulfport, to support the effort.

The board of directors of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission is led by John Dane III, chairman and CEO of Trinity Yachts, as chairman. Dave Dennis, CEO of Specialty Contractors in Gulfport, serves as vice chairman. Secretary/treasurer is Keith Voigts of Pass Christian.

Other board members: Ashley Edwards, governor’s office; state Sen Tommy Gollot; Craig Ray, director of Mississippi Deptartment of Tourism; Myrtis Franke, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochrans office; Scott Walker, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker’s office; Dr. Willis Lott, president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; John McKay, president, Jackson County Board of Supervisors; Kim Savant, Harrison County Board of Supervisors; Steve Seymour, Hancock County Board of Supervisors; Jon Lucas, president & GM of IP Casino; Joe Bilhimer, casino executive; Bill Holmes, executive director Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum; Chevis Swetman, president Peoples Bank; Todd Trenchard, vice presidentof public affairs, M&M Bank; Larry Barnett, Harrison County Ecenomic Development Commission; Jack Zinc, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission; Ben Stone, attorney, Balch & Bingham LLC; Richard Myers, director, Parisi Speed School; A.M. Gillich Jr., Gulf South Analytical Sevices, Biloxi; and David McAfee, e-Fitness & Wellness Center, Biloxi.

Based on the success of the USA Volleyball 2008 Grand Championship Series in July, Ratcliff said the Commission is in discussions to host a open qualifier for the AVP Atlanta Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament in 2009 or 2010 and possibly schedule the Mississippi Gulf Cost as a regular event on the Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.