Five-Time U.S. Olympic Swimming Gold Medalist Aaron Peirsol Is Honored by Bank of America for His Work to Protect the Oceans
Bank contributes $15,000 to Peirsol’s “Race for the Oceans” campaign
Bank of America today announced a $15,000 contribution to Aaron Peirsol’s “Race for the Oceans” campaign, following the U.S. Olympic swimmer’s gold medal performances in the men’s 100 meter backstroke and 4×100 meter medley relay at the Beijing Olympic Games. Peirsol, a Bank of America endorsed athlete who also secured a silver medal in the men’s 200 meter backstroke, created “Race for the Oceans” with ocean advocacy group Oceana to raise awareness about the threats facing the world’s oceans by providing a forum for swimmers and swimming fans to “dive in” to ocean conservation. In addition to his accomplishments during the Beijing Olympic Games, Peirsol won three gold medals at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
Peirsol, 25, and a native of Irvine, CA, is part of the Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls(R) program. Through this program, Bank of America provides financial support and marketing exposure to 12 U.S. Olympic athletes and hopefuls.
“Aaron’s accomplishments in the pool are equaled only by his dedication and commitment to protecting the world’s oceans,” said Ray Bednar, Global Sponsorship Marketing executive, Bank of America. “We are delighted to celebrate Aaron’s tremendous success at the Beijing Olympic Games, and honor his achievements through our support of his Race for the Oceans advocacy.”
As part of the company’s support for Peirsol’s campaign, Bank of America is sponsoring the Race for the Oceans Open Water Swim in Fort Meyers, Florida on November 8 and 9. The two-day program includes open water racing, clinics, multiple in-ocean training sessions and educational forums on the causes of and solutions to the declining health of the world’s oceans.
“Growing up in Orange County, I have seen a lot of change in the oceans, which is why I wanted to create this program,” said Peirsol. “Now, to have the support of my sponsor, Bank of America, who is an established environmental leader, Race for the Oceans can have an even greater impact.”
The contribution to Peirsol’s Race for the Oceans is consistent with Bank of America’s ten-year, $20 billion environmental initiative to address global climate change by promoting sustainability in its operations and through its lending, investing, new products and services.
Bank of America has a legacy of environmental leadership dating back two decades, when it began implementing and applying environmental considerations to its own operations and internal business practices. For example, the bank reduced paper usage per associate by 40 percent and set aggressive, voluntary goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the company by 9 percent by 2009 through the reduction of its energy consumption. Bank of America also reimburses its associates $3,000 when they buy a new hybrid vehicle — a benefit that more than 2,200 individuals have taken advantage of to date.
Bank of America’s environmental initiatives emphasize business opportunities, created by green economic growth, by providing critical financing to encourage the development of environmentally sustainable products and technologies; accelerate the deployment of existing technologies; and increase energy efficiency. For more information about Bank of America’s environmental efforts, visit www.bankofamerica.com/environment .
Bank of America is widely recognized as a major corporate sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, making it possible for the nation’s best athletes to represent the United States in world-class competition. Bank of America’s involvement with the Olympic Movement dates back to 1992, when it first signed on as an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team that competed in Barcelona, Spain. The company has supported every U.S. Olympic Team since, including the Americans competing in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Race for the Oceans
Race for the Oceans is a campaign started in 2007 by Olympic swimmer Aaron Peirsol. Its mission is to engage swimmers and swimming fans in ocean conservation by spreading awareness and connecting them with the worldwide efforts of ocean conservation group, Oceana. Aaron’s website, www.RacefortheOceans.org, is a forum where his fans can read blog entries, view videos, make donations and take action in support one of several projects initiated by Oceana. To learn more about Oceana visit www.Oceana.org .
Source: Bank of America
Tennis Fans Turn to TicketsNow for US Open Tickets
New partnership builds on USTA’s existing Ticketmaster relationship and provides sanctioned marketplace for fans to buy great seats at competitive prices
Tennis, anyone? The hottest seats in New York every summer are always at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, when the game’s best descend on the Big Apple for the US Open. If you’re looking to sit so close you can hear 125-mph serves as they whoosh by you, or if you want to be there for all the top matches, TicketsNow, a Ticketmaster Company, and the only sanctioned, official US Open ticket exchange, has your tickets, including single-session access to great seats you can’t find anywhere else.
The US Open is the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world, with a record 715,000 fans making their way to the action last year. As a result, demand for US Open tickets is always high and making sure every ticket is authentic is a must. TicketsNow connects fans with all of the fun and excitement of live music, theater, and sports, and now it’s the best way to ensure you have the seats you want for the matches you want to see. Thanks to TicketsNow’s exclusive partnership with the USTA, ticketholders who are unable to attend specific sessions can post their tickets for sale, offering fellow fans the opportunity to purchase tickets for courtside and other great seats.
“Our goal is to provide fans with a connection to the best seats for the biggest events, and our exclusive relationship with the US Open allows us to do so in an even bigger way,” said Cheryl Rosner, CEO of TicketsNow. “If you’re a tennis fan you have to be at the US Open, and if you have to be at the US Open, start your search for some of the best seats and most secure transactions at TicketsNow.com.”
The 2008 US Open will be held from Monday, August 25 through Sunday, September 7 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY, and will include day sessions beginning at 11 a.m. and night sessions beginning at 7 p.m. through Thursday, September 4. Finals Weekend will feature the Women’s Singles Semifinals on Friday, September 5; the Men’s Singles Semifinals on Saturday, September 6; the Women’s Singles Final in primetime at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 6; and the Men’s Singles Final at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 7.
TicketsNow’s partnership with the USTA begins with the 2008 US Open and continues through 2012. For more information and to begin your search for tickets, log on to http://www.ticketsnow.com/ or http://www.usopen.org/.
Source: TicketsNow
Thomas Brown Wins 2008 Pro-Am Championship on YFZ450
Yamaha Factory Racer Wins Big at Final Round of ATVA/AMA National MX Series
Thomas Brown, Yamaha’s exciting young factory racer, won his first Pro-Am Motocross racing championship this past weekend at the final round of the ATVA/AMA National MX Championship series. Brown finished in first place in both motos aboard his YFZ450 securing his championship for the 2008 series.
“Yamaha congratulates Thomas on his national pro-am motocross championship,” said Steve Nessl, marketing manager for Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group. “Thomas is no longer an up-and-comer — he’s a true champion at the top of his game, and we’re proud to have him riding with Yamaha.”
Brown has been racing since 2004 when he won a national 90cc class mod title, and he joined the Yamaha Factory Racing team this year. Brown’s sponsors include Yamaha Motor Corporation, GYTR, Yamalube, Golden West Cycles, JB Racing, Fly Racing, ITP, DWT, REM, Precision, Tag and Quad Tech.
About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings also include motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, race kart engines, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of more than 4,000 dealers in the United States.
Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1977, YMUS also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit http://www.yamaha-motor.com/.
ATVs with engines 90cc or greater are recommended for use only by riders age 16 years and older.
Source: Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
2008 Heineken Cup Champions, Munster to play USA Eagles at Annual Setanta Challenge Cup
SA Rugby to host Setanta Challenge Cup in Hartford, CT
USA Rugby will host its second annual Setanta Challenge Cup, featuring the USA Eagles versus the 2008 Heineken Cup champions, Munster, at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. on Saturday, August 23 at 3 p.m. (EDT).
This will be Munster’s first match since they won the Heineken Cup against Toulouse in Cardiff in May and with the new rugby season just a couple of weeks away, they will be bringing all available members of the winning Cup team along with the trophy which will be on display at the ground.
“We are extremely excited to be playing Munster in Hartford,” U.S. Men’s National Team Coach Scott Johnson said. “There’s no doubt that this will be an extremely physical match and I encourage all rugby fans to come watch what promises to be some very good rugby. Not only does this match allow us essential competition against Europe’s top professional team, but we get to play in a great city where I have no doubt the community will come out and support both teams.”
These two squads faced each other last year in Chicago with Munster winning a hard fought match 10-6. This year’s match will again prove to be a tough test for the U.S. team as they face an experienced Munster side that features a number of the 2007 World Cup players. This year’s cup will also showcase the improvements being made to a young U.S. National Team following the Barclays Churchill Cup and ASM Clermont matches under the tutelage of new Head Coach Johnson.
“Munster is looking forward to this match as it represents the ideal type of preparation ahead of the new season and gives us the opportunity to expose our squad to quality opposition. It is always an honor to play against international competition and we are delighted to be traveling to New England for this game,” said Munster Head Coach Tony McGahan.
Munster will spend the week prior to the match in Boston, training at the Irish Cultural Center, while the Eagles will spend the week in New York, training at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Along with several additional activities surrounding this event on Thursday, August 21, both team’s coach and captains will meet at Rentschler Field for the Setanta Challenge Cup press conference at 3 p.m.
Rentschler Field is Connecticut’s sports & entertainment stadium. In addition to being the new home of the University of Connecticut Huskies football team, Rentschler Field’s 40,000-seat stadium is the perfect setting for college football, concerts, conferences, banquets and special events. This is the third time that USA Rugby has hosted a major international rugby match at Rentshler Field, hosting France in 2004 and Wales in 2005.
The Setanta Challenge Cup match will be broadcast live in the USA on Setanta Sports. Setanta will also broadcast the match in Ireland and UK. Tickets for this event are priced from $20 to $60 and will be available through http://www.ticketmaster.com/munster or by calling (860) 525-4500.
Source: Setanta Sports
Beach Tennis USA National Championship Returns to Long Beach, New York
Italian Champs Looks To Retain Title Despite Tough Competition
Beach Tennis USA(R), the organization responsible for launching the pro sport of beach tennis in North America, will hold its 2008 National Beach Tennis Championship in Long Beach, New York on Labor Day Weekend. The National Championship tournament, which is the final event of a 10-city tour, will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31 and will be taped for broadcast to over 60 million homes on SportsNet New York (SNY), Tennis Channel, SunSport, FSN West, and select Comcast SportsNet affiliates. The event site is located on the beach at Riverside Blvd. near the Boardwalk in Long Beach, New York.
This year as many as 75 Men and Women’s Pro division teams from 12 countries are expected to compete in the National Championship event. Although the defending champions, Matteo Marighella and Alex Mingozzi (Ravenna, IT) are favored to win, several teams from the U.S. and other countries are hoping to quell the Italian’s dominance in the new pro sport. One such team that looks to have the best chance is the 2005 & 2006 National Champions Phil Whitesell and Chris Henderson (Charleston, SC), who are vying to reclaim their crown after having experienced a resurgence this season. In the Women’s Pro Division, three-time National Champion Nadia Johnston (Long Beach, NY), will be entering into the competition with a new partner and after having participated in only one tournament this season. The finals match just might pose a rematch from last season, with Johnston defending her title against a team that has completely dominated the Women’s division this year-Laura and Lisa Maloney (San Diego, CA).
Preliminary qualifying play for the Women’s Pro divisions will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, with elimination rounds throughout the day. Elimination rounds for the Men’s Pro division will begin Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and the Men and Women’s Pro finals will take place Sunday at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively.
About Beach Tennis USA
Beach tennis, which was launched in the U.S. as a pro and recreational sport in 2005 by real estate developer Marc Altheim, combines tennis and beach volleyball into one exciting and fast-paced game. Now in its fourth season, Beach Tennis USA has garnered increased attention while hosting events in South Florida, Southern California and New York. Beach Tennis USA has also gained recognition in the tennis world, attracting many former top-rated tennis players and having televised competitions featured on Tennis Channel, SunSport, FSN West, Comcast SportsNet, and SportsNet New York (SNY). The company continues to grow by adding new licensees in various U.S. cities and establishing “Team Beach Tennis,” which promotes year-round league play. To learn more about this fast-growing sport, or to become a licensee, please visit www.beachtennisusa.net .
Source: Beach Tennis USA