Gainesville Sports Commission

The Gainesville Sports Commission Inaugural Indoor Track and Field Meet has been scheduled for February 2 in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. The meet is being formatted to allow for youth, high school, open, masters and senior competition for men and women; boys and girls.

Come and join the other 20+ registered teams for the first ever Gainesville Sports Commission Indoor Track and Field Meet. The online registration ends Jan. 30, 2008.

8/3/07 & 8/4/07 - GSC Golf Classic

The 18th Annual Gainesville Sports Commission Golf Classic Committee hopes you will be able to join us Friday and/or Saturday, August 3rd & 4th, for an exciting day of golf, food, prizes, networking, and friendly competition at Ironwood Golf Course! The tournament is the only fundraiser of the year for your local sports commission. Each year we host or assist others in hosting more than 30 events, which create an economic impact of approximately 12 million dollars. The proceeds of this tournament allow us to continue our mission of fostering economic impact and promoting recreational opportunities for Alachua County through quality sporting events!

All Players Receive Lunch from Beef 'O' Brady's, Goodie Bag, Tournament Polo Shirt, Sleeve of Golf Balls and Complimentary Beverages and Beer on the course

Registration Fees:
Single Player for Flight A or B.....................$125.00
Single Player for Both Flight A and B..........$200.00
Foursome for Flight A or B..........................$500.00
Hole Sponsorship.......................................$150.00
Hole Sponsorship and Foursome...............$600.00

Awards Presented For:
Top Three Foursomes in Each Flight
Hole Contests in Each Flight
Hole-in-One Contest
Putting Contest & Other Goodies and Surprises

Pick pick-up the Gainesville Sports Commission Golf Classic registration packet at either of the two Gainesville Beef 'O' Brady's locations or contact Alex at 352-338-9300 or email: aalston@gainesvillesportscommission.com

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, August 1st

04/14/07 & 04/15/07

Heart of Florida Air Show on April 14 & 15

Florida Credit Union - Heart of Florida Airshow

Mark you calendars now and plan to attend the Heart of Florida Airshow presented by the Florida Credit Union on Saturday and Sunday, April 14th and 15th, 2007 at the Gainesville Regional Airport. The two-day event will showcase some of the most spectacular aerobatic performers in the United States. Acts will range from the most basic aircraft, the hang glider, to some of the fastest and loudest aircrafts our military has to offer. This year's airshow will have more aircraft displays and a new Kids Zone area.

Advance ticket sales are available online at www.gainesvilleairshow.com and at all Gator Domino's Pizza outlets in the Gainesville area.

02/25/07

Volunteer Alert: 37th Annual Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals

The Gainesville Sports Commission needs volunteers for the Gatornationals on March 16th-18th!!! Receive a free ticket to Gatornationals on each day you volunteer. Plus, volunteers have the option of working the morning or afternoon shift. For more information about volunteering for this exciting event call Joleen at the Gainesville Sports Commission (352)-338-9300 or email: jcacciatore@gainesvillesportscommission.com Please contact Joleen ASAP the Gatornationals are coming up fast!!!

02/09/07

Five Points of Life Marathon and Half Marathon is Almost Here!

The 2nd Annual Five Points of Life Marathon and Half Marathon is coming up on Sunday, February 18, 2007. Over 600 runners have already registered for the Half and Full Marathon.

The last day to register is Saturday, February 17, 2007. You may register in person at the Fitness EXPO on Saturday, February 17, 2007.

Saturday, February 17, 2007 - The Fitness EXPO at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center from 10a.m. to 8p.m.

Sunday, February 18, 2007 - The Marathon and Half Marathon Start/Finish area 5a.m. to 6a.m.

***For more information or to register for the marathon log on to www.fivepointsoflife.org

01/19/07

The Gainesville Sports Commission

The GSOC has been renamed the Gainesville Sports Commission. The new website address is www.gainesvillesportscommission.com. This new change will help with something that has always been one of the GSOC's main concerns - brand recognition. Through the years people have seen the GSOC logo and were unsure about what the abbreviation stands for. With the new Gainesville Sports Commission name and logo, it will identify what the organization does and where it is based.

1/5/07

The Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee (GSOC)
will Unveil New Name and Logo in 2007

As the Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee (GSOC) approaches its 18th birthday, the organization continues to change for the better. With the start of a new year, the GSOC will unveil a new name and logo during their Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on January 18, 2007 at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center at 6:00 p.m. The new name and logo will better represent the GSOC and their mission.

During the dinner, the GSOC will recognize the dedicated individuals who have contributed to the local quality of life, the installment of the 2007 GSOC Officers and Directors, and the unveiling of the new name and logo. For more information about the GSOC Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, please contact the GSOC at 352-338-9300 or email: aalston@gsoc.com or jcacciatore@gsoc.com

10/19/06 - 10/22/06

The 6th Annual Gainesville Senior Games

The deadline to register for the 6th Annual Gainesville Senior Games has been pushed back to October 11th!

The Gainesville Sport Organizing Committee (GSOC) is proud to announce the return of the 6th Annual Gainesville Senior Games to Alachua County. The Senior Games is presented by The Village, and will take place from Oct. 19 to Oct. 22, 2006. The GSOC invites all athletes, 50 years old on or before Dec. 31, 2006, around the state and nation to participate in over 14 exciting sports events.

This year's Senior Games will feature archery, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, pickleball, road race, swimming, table tennis, and track and field. The top five competitors in each age group for each sport will qualify for the State Senior Games in Fort Myers and earn a chance to qualify for the 2007 National Senior Games in Louisville, Kentucky. Don't miss out on the fun, friendships and the experience of the 2006 Gainesville Senior Games.

For more information about the Senior Games or how to register please call Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee at 352-338-9300 or email: jcacciatore@gsoc.com and we will mail you a registration brochure. Registration ends October 6th! The Senior Games are funded by the City of Gainesville and the Alachua County Visitors and County Bureau.

10/4/06

The 6th Annual Gainesville Senior Games:

On-line Registration is now Open!

The registration for the Gainesville Senior Games on October 19-22, 2006 is now on-line on the GSOC website. Just log onto www.gsoc.com and click the Event List tab on the homepage. Once on the Events List page scroll down to the October Events and click on the Senior Games link. The Senior Games registration page will open and you can sign up for all your favorite events. If you would rather receive the registration form by mail please email jcacciatore@gsoc.com or call 352-338-9300. The Senior Games registration deadline by mail and on-line has been pushed back until October 11th!!!

10/2/06

Free Marathon Lecture Series

The UF and Shands Department of Rehabilitative Services is holding a free weekly lecture series every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. through November 15. The lectures are designed to prepare both experienced and inexperienced runners/walkers for the delights of participating in full or half marathon. Bring your sneakers because you're invited to join the group immediately following the lecture to "practice what they preach" with a short run.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Mike Wasik at (352) 265-9401 or email: wasikmp@shands.ufl.edu

These workshops are coordinated as part of the Five Points of Life Marathon and Half Marathon. The 2007 Five Points of Life Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, February 18th. For more information or register online at www.fivepointsoflife.org.

8/21/06:

The Best of the Bravest will Compete for High Honors at the Challenge

The 3rd Annual Firefighter Combat Challenge Southeast Regional is coming to Gainesville, FL on August 26-27. The competition will take place in The Oaks Mall parking lot on Newberry Road. The SE Regional Championships start on Saturday 26'th at 4:00p.m. and SE Regional Relay and Tandem Championships start on Sunday 27'th at 12 noon.

The Firefighter Combat Challenge is an intense, vigorous competition and seeks to encourage firefighter fitness and to provide the public with greater appreciation of the physical demands of the profession. During the competition, firefighters will simulate the physical demands of real life firefighting by competing on a linked series of five tasks. Qualifiers of this regional event will advance to the World Championships held each year. Come out and support your communities' local fire departments.

8/8/06:

Last Chance to sign up!!! Don't Miss Out!!!

Next week is the GSOC's annual golf tournament presented by Hooters of Gainesville on Friday, August 18, 2006 and Saturday, August 19, 2006. The event will be held at Ironwood Golf Course. The 17'th Annual GSOC Golf Classic offers complimentary food and beverages, gift bags, door prizes, awards, and much more! Plus, hang out with the fabulous Hooters Girls! This is the GSOC's lone fundraiser of the year to help the not-for-profit organization continue to promote tourism through sporting events, creating a positive economic impact on Gainesville and Alachua County.

Foursomes and Hole Sponsorships are going fast. Sign up today! Click on the "Event List" in the upper right hand of the website. Then, on the events page, scroll to the application download for the tournament. You can fill out the form and return it to us via fax at 352-338-0600.

For more information about the golf classic and hole sponsorship please contact Alex Alston at the GSOC @ (352) 338-9300 or aalston@gsoc.com

8/3/06:

U.S. Girls' National Team wins Gold at the 2006 NORCECA Girls' Youth Continental Championships

Gainesville, FL, August 3, 2006- The 2006 North, Central American and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Girls Youth Volleyball Championships came to a bittersweet end on Sunday, July 30th , during the closing ceremonies. For six straight days the O'Connell Center was turned into an international celebration of volleyball. The six participating teams were the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Each team was made up of girls ages 14-16, who individually in their own countries were fierce competitors, put their rivalry's aside and came together to compete for their respected countries.

In the final match of the night, the U.S. Girls' Youth National Team swept Dominican Republic 25-13, 25-22, 25-13 to win the championship, both teams have earned entries into the 2007 FIVB Girls' Youth World Championship (U-18) held at Mexicali and Tijuana, Mexico. Puerto Rico beat Canada in three sets for third place, while Mexico beat Honduras in three sets to earn fifth place in the six-team tournament.

The U.S. captured six of the nine all tournament awards with Sydney Yogi earning the best libero honor, Alexandra Hunt winning the best server honor and Kanani Herring picking up the best receiver award. Other awards went to Canada's Becky Pavan for best blocker, Puerto Rico's Maria Escoto for best defense and Jenifer Nogueras for best setter.

Team USA's Tarah Murrey (El Cerrito, Calif.) was selected as the tournament most valuable player. She scored a tournament-high 92 points over the six-day event. Murrey also captured the best scorer and best spiker awards for the tournament.

After Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee (GSOC) Trustee, Tom Collett notified Jack Hughes, executive director of GSOC, that the event was available; one phone call to University of Florida Volleyball Coach Mary Wise put the wheels in motion to put together a bid for the 2006 NORCECA Girls Youth Volleyball Championships. By submitting and winning the bid, the GSOC was given the chance to host something never before in Gainesville, an international volleyball tournament. By hosting this tournament GSOC opened the door for future USA Volleyball and NORCECA events to be held in Gainesville.

"We would be unable to host this great international volleyball qualifier without the financial support of the Florida Sports Foundation regional grant program and Alachua County through their sports tourism grant and bid pool," said Jack Hughes, GSOC's Executive Director. "We were excited about the opportunity during this event to work with USA Volleyball and the University of Florida. We learned that our community is ripe for future hemispheric competitions."

Additional tournament information and photos can be found at www.usavolleyball.org/highperformance/06GYC/06GYChampionship.asp.

7/6/06:

Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee (GSOC) Hires New Employee

Joleen Cacciatore to serve as Communications Manager

The Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee, Inc. (GSOC) recently hired Joleen Cacciatore as their new communications manager. Joleen will develop and manage all aspects of GSOC's daily communications including public relations, advertisement, and marketing programs.

Joleen Cacciatore is a graduate of Florida Southern College and received a BS degree in advertisement. She was a member of Florida Southern College's Women's Volleyball Team for four years. Joleen brings experience from her past internships at Polk County Sports Marketing and Peace River Center.

7/6/06:

17th Annual Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee Golf Classic for August 18-19

The Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee will host their annual golf tournament presented by Hooters of Gainesville on Friday, August 18, 2006 and Saturday, August 19, 2006. The event will be held at Ironwood Golf Course which offers an exciting 18-hole, par 72, championship golf course owned by the City of Gainesville. The 17th Annual GSOC Golf Classic offers complimentary food and beverages, gift bags, door prizes, awards, and much more! Plus, hang out with the fabulous Hooters Girls! This is GSOC's lone fundraiser of the year to help the not-for-profit organization continue to promote tourism through sporting events, creating a positive economic impact on Gainesville and Alachua County.

Many Foursomes and Hole Sponsorships are still available!

For more information about the golf classic and how to register please contact Alex Alston at the GSOC @ (352) 338-9300 or aalston@gsoc.com

7/5/06:

Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee (GSOC) Wins Bid to Host 2006 NORCECA Girls Youth Volleyball Championships

Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee, Inc. celebrates after winning the bid to host the 2006 NORCECA Girls Youth Volleyball Championships on July 24-31. The Championships will take place at the O'Connell Center on the campus of the University of Florida.

GSOC is expecting as many as six teams to participate in the Championships. The countries expected to send their teams to compete, are United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. The NORCECA Youth Championships is a bi-annual event and will qualify teams for the 2007 FIVB Girls Youth World Championships.

For more information about ticket sales and match times please call Alex Alston (352) 338-9300 or e-mail: aalston@gsoc.com

7/5/06:

2/2/08 - Track and Field Meet

8/3/07 & 8/4/07 - GSC Golf Classic

04/14/07 & 04/15/07

02/25/07

02/09/07

01/19/07

1/5/07

10/19/06 - 10/22/06

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