Sport news

Spectators now can experience this 20-year-old Atlanta tradition for prices starting at just $10

100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., presenters of the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic, announced today that tickets to its annual football game will be sold at reduced prices. The annual game, between rivals Tennessee State and Florida A&M universities, will take place September 27, 2008 at 4:00pm EDT in the Georgia Dome and tickets will start at just $10.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of “The Classic,” presented by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta. Under the new theme “History Happens Here. Play Your Part.” a full suite of events - from September 24-27 - promises to offer something for everyone, including a family-friendly parade celebrating Georgia’s academic scholars, job, college and health fairs, a step show and the famed Tennessee State and Florida A&M halftime show featuring the schools’ award-winning marching bands.

“We recognize that the state of the economy has everyone looking for fun and cost-efficient ways to entertain themselves and their families. That’s why we’ve worked with our sponsors to keep the ticket prices low - comparable to what you would pay for an evening at the movies,” stated the 100 Black Men of Atlanta Chief Executive Officer John Grant.

This traditional rivalry football game between two Division I historically black college and university (HBCU) teams, Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Tennessee State University (TSU), is on its way to becoming the most recognized event in black college football and the nation’s most anticipated and enjoyable HBCU classic game. Based on an intense opposition between two schools that goes as far back as 1944, this riveting game attracts tens of thousands of fans each year

Tickets are already being sold at all Ticketmaster outlets, at the participating schools, and through the 100 Black Men of Atlanta. As this will be the 20th Anniversary of the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic, the 100 Black Men of Atlanta expect the game to sell out in advance. The classic rivalry lives on, and on September 27, 2008 the games will begin.

About the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic

A week-long celebration of excellence in Atlanta that culminates in a sold-out college football game, The Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic is the largest of 100 Black Men of Atlanta’s fundraising activities. The Classic pits longtime rivals, Tennessee State University and Florida A&M University against one another in a classic gridiron match and includes a Friday-night step show as well as a full, half-time Battle of the Bands. Additional programs include a Town Hall Meeting on African-American Health Issues, a Collegiate 100 Symposium, a health fair, a job fair, a college fair and a Parade of Excellence right down Peachtree Street. As the second largest recurring college sporting event in Georgia, The Classic now has a permanent exhibit located in the Georgia Dome commemorating its success. Aetna, Allstate, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Life Financial Group, Coors, Delta, Ford, Georgia Power, MARTA, McDonald’s, Russell Corp, Tyson Foods, and UPS join title sponsor Bank of America to make this event possible. These events have raised more than $2.6M for Project Success and almost $7M in contributions for the participating universities. The Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic is available on the World Wide Web at www.atlantafootballclassic.com.

About 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.

The mission of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. is to provide support and improve the quality of life for African Americans, particularly African-American youth, in the Atlanta community. The 100 is one of the city’s strongest, most self reliant African-American volunteer organizations focused on education, enrichment and empowerment. The organization’s primary programs are Project Success, a mentoring and academic support initiative; and the Family and Youth Empowerment Program, a homeownership program for parents of students participating in Project Success.

Source: 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.

Veterans Prepare for Largest Annual Wheelchair Sports Event

The 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, scheduled to take place July 25-29 in Omaha, Neb., will attract more than 500 veterans with disabilities. It has become the largest annual wheelchair sports competition in the world. Veterans from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq will again join their fellow veterans in 17 competitive events.

“We are proud to present this outstanding rehabilitation event, a therapeutic extension of the superior heath care veterans receive in our medical centers each day,” said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “Rehabilitation is crucial to living a full life following an injury. I applaud all of the veterans participating as they strive to achieve their goals during this week of athletic competition.”

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America, are open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments.

The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System in Omaha and the Paralyzed Veterans Great Plains Chapter are the local hosts for the 2008 Games. Veterans competing in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games come from nearly every state, as well as Puerto Rico and Great Britain.

“Like serving our nation, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games are not really about the medals. Instead, they’re a mix of camaraderie, competition and courage. And they’re rehabilitation at its best for our paralyzed veterans,” said Randy L. Pleva, Sr., National President of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. “If you are in the Omaha area, please join us this July. You’ll be inspired.”

At the Games, veterans will compete in swimming, basketball, track, weight lifting, softball, air guns, quad rugby, nine-ball, field events, bowling, table tennis, archery, handcycling, wheelchair slalom, trapshooting, a motorized wheelchair relay and power soccer. An exhibition event in sled hockey will also take place this year. For the second year, several stand-up events will be held for athletes with amputations who choose to compete using prosthetic devices instead of competing in their wheelchairs.

The 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games begin July 25 with a kick-off wheelchair basketball demonstration at the Qwest Center Omaha, and the 2008 Disabled Sports, Recreation and Fitness Expo. Kids Day at the Games will take place on July 27 at Northwest High School, where local children with disabilities will meet the athletes and learn about wheelchair sports.

Opening and closing ceremonies will also be held at the Qwest Center Omaha, along with many of the week’s competitive events. Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman is expected to attend, along with senior VA leaders and the president of Paralyzed Veterans of America. Some of the sports events will be held at the Henry Doorly Zoo, the University of Nebraska, Mockingbird and Thunderbowl Lanes, Tranquility Ice Plex and other area venues. Admission is free to the public and the community is encouraged to attend.

Sports are important in the therapy used to treat many disabilities. VA is a recognized leader in rehabilitation, with therapeutic programs available at VA health care facilities across the nation. For many injured veterans, the Wheelchair Games provide their first exposure to wheelchair athletics.

For more information about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games or to volunteer during the week, visit the Games Web site at www.wheelchairgames.va.gov.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Survey results announced as ASA Celebrates 75 Years of Serving the Sportfishing Industry

Ten influential fishing products created over the past 75 years -. from rods to reels to electronics -. have helped make fishing the great sport it is today, according to a new survey from the American Sportfishing Association (ASA).

ASA, the sportfishing industry’s trade association, today released the country’s first top ten list of the items that have changed the way people fish, as determined by a survey of the nation’s most avid anglers. The Anglers’ Legacy Innovations Awards were unveiled at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the world’s largest annual sportfishing trade show. More than 7,000 members of the sportfishing community are gathered in Las Vegas to see the latest innovations in gear and accessories.

“We’re thrilled to be commemorating the way that fishing has endured as one of America’s favorite pastimes,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “The sport has touched the lives of so many people, thanks to the number of great inventions that have revolutionized angling over the past seven and a half decades.”

ASA partnered with the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation to survey the foundation’s thousands of Anglers’ Legacy Ambassadors, the country’s most avid anglers, who voted for the products they feel have been most instrumental in shaping the sport over the past seven and a half decades.

The final top ten list spans six categories, including accessories, electronics, lines, lures, reels and rods:

• Original Floater Minnow (1936) remains one of the most successful and widely copied hard lures in sportfishing’s history. Original and current manufacturer: Rapala

• Spring loaded Bobber (1947) made suspending a baited hook at a desired depth simpler and easier. Even today this item is virtually in every angler’s tackle box. Original manufacturer: Nibble Nabber; Current: Various companies

• Mitchell 300 (1949) was the first commercially successful spinning reel, and is still one of the most common reels used today. Original manufacturer: Mitchell;Current manufacturer: Pure Fishing

• Creme Plastic Worm (1949) changed the sport forever as the first — and still famous — long-lasting artificial worm that both looked and felt real. Original and current manufacturer: Creme Lure Company

• Closed Face Spincast Reel (1949) made fishing easy and affordable to everyone regardless of age, size, gender and expertise. Original manufacturer: Zero Hour Bomb Company; Current Manufacturer: ZEBCO Brands

• Lowrance Fish Lo-K-Tor (1957), the “Little Green Box” introduced anglers to the use of sonar in locating individual fish. Original Manufacturer: Lowrance Electronics; Current: Lowrance/Navico

• Monofilament Line (1958) improved the durability, affordability and casting ability of fishing line while reducing its visibility to fish. Original manufacturer: DuPont Stren; Current manufacturer: Pure Fishing

• Minn Kota Trolling Motor (1958) was the first electric gear-driven trolling motor gave anglers the ability to quietly maneuver and position their boats. Original manufacturer: Minn Kota; Current manufacturer: Johnson Outdoors

• Fenwick High Modulus Graphite Rod (1972), with its super-sensitive carbon (graphite) fibers, revolutionized the method of making fishing rods and how anglers fished. Original Manufacturer: Fenwick;Current Manufacturer: Pure Fishing

• Shakespeare Ugly Stick (1976), with its special construction, created an affordable, unbreakable and dynamic fishing rod still in use today. Original and current manufacturer: Shakespeare

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate a milestone anniversary than to pay tribute to the landmark innovations that have helped shape fishing,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “What makes this list so great is the fact that it was determined by anglers themselves.”

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also represents the interests of America’s 40 million anglers who generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people. (http://www.asafishing.org/)

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to growing participation in fishing, boating and aquatic stewardship. In 1998, the U.S. Congress passed the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act requiring the Secretary of the Interior to implement a national outreach and communication plan to address participation issues associated with recreational fishing and boating, while ensuring public support for aquatic resource conservation. Through the efforts of the Sportfishing and Boating Partnership Council (SFBPC), the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) was created as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to implement the plan. Funding for RBFF is provided through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. (http://www.rbff.org/)

Source: American Sportfishing Association