Author: GNOSF-admin

Aug. 29, 2016,

The USA Weightlifting National University Championship and National Under 25 Championship originally scheduled for River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has been relocated to the Alario Center in Jefferson Parish, LA.. The River Center has become the primary shelter for those displaced in the Baton Rouge floods.  The dates remain the same from September 23-25, 2016.

“Firstly, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Baton Rouge at this difficult time,” USA Weightlifting CEO Phil Andrews said.  “We recognize the incredibly difficult position that the city is in at this time. At the same time, I want to thank and recognize the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the Alario Center and Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau for stepping in to assist us in very quick to ensure we had a new venue.”

The Alario Center last hosted the sport of Weightlifting when New Orleans hosted the 2000 Olympic Trials, which saw Team USA Weightlifting’s last Gold Medalist, Tara Nott, qualify for the Sydney Olympic Games.  Shane Hamman also set a new American record at 230kg (507 pounds) in the clean-and-jerk at the Alario Center during the 2000 Olympic Trials. The 2016 event will see Sydney Olympians Cara Heads-Slaughter and Robin Byrd-Goad return to the Center where they became Olympians.

The National University Championship are open to registered USAW athletes (US citizenship not required) currently registered at accredited colleges throughout the United States, who reach the qualifying total in their weight class. Athletes competing at the National Collegiate Championships cannot be younger than 15 or older than 28, as of December 31 of the year in which they are competing at this event.

National Under 25 Championship are open to athletes aged between 18 and 25, therefore born between 1991 and 1998, as of December 31 in the year in which they are competing.

Overall these competitions will bring over 800 athletes & coaches to the New Orleans area to compete with an estimated economic impact of $750,000 to the local community.  Defending National University Champions Northern Michigan University will look to defend their double title win.

Competitors will include Team USA international athletes Mattie Rogers (Apopka, FL), Marissa Klingseis (St. Joseph, MO), Jourdan Delacruz (Wylie, TX), James Tatum (Charlotte, NC) and Tanner Reichardt (Leesport, PA), and will determine the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2016 World University Championships.

Tickets will be available at the door.  Daily tickets are $10 and 3-day weekend passes are available for $25.  For more information please www.usaweightlifting.org.  For more information about these Championships please contact events@usaweightlifting.org .

NEW ORLEANS TO HOST NBA ALL-STAR 2017

NEW YORK, Aug. 19, 2016 – New Orleans has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2017, the NBA announced today.  The 66^th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 19, at Smoothie King Center – home of the New Orleans Pelicans. The game was previously scheduled to be held in Charlotte, N.C.

In addition to the game, the Smoothie King Center will host the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 17 and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 18 while the NBA All-Star Practice, NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and NBA Development League All-Star Game presented by Kumho Tire will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. This will mark the third time the “Crescent City” has been the site of the league’s annual midseason celebration, having previously hosted the event in 2008 and 2014.

“New Orleans is a world-class destination for sports and entertainment and we are very appreciative that the city is once again hosting our All-Star festivities,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.  “We are grateful to Tom and Gayle Benson and the Pelicans organization and to Governor John Bel Edwards, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation for inviting us back for what promises to be another exciting and memorable celebration of the game.”

“We are grateful that the NBA has selected us to host the 2017 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans,” said New Orleans Pelicans Owner Tom Benson.  “We have made tremendous upgrades to the Smoothie King Center and know the building will be a first-class venue to host the myriad of events associated with All-Star weekend.  New Orleans has hosted the All-Star Game twice in the past nine years, and is a perfect destination for NBA fans.  As we know, the NBA will engage thousands of local children and charities during this weekend.  On behalf of my wife Gayle and the entire Pelicans organization, we thank Governor Edwards, Mayor Landrieu, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, SMG, and all of the others that worked so hard in a short amount of time to bring the All-Star Game to New Orleans.”

In addition, in the wake of the devastating floods that have affected tens of thousands of Louisiana residents, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have joined the Pelicans and the New Orleans Saints to provide financial and other ongoing support of the flood rescue, relief and rebuilding efforts.

NBA All-Star oncourt festivities tip off Friday, Feb. 17, with the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, where the league’s top rookies and second-year players will compete in a U.S. versus World game format for the third consecutive year.  On Saturday, Feb. 18, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature current NBA players showcasing their unique abilities in exciting basketball competitions, including the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, where participants compete head-to-head in a series of passing, shooting and agility drills; the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest; and Verizon Slam Dunk.  The weekend concludes on Sunday, Feb. 19, with the NBA All-Star Game.

“Even in the midst of a historic crisis, I am excited that the NBA has recognized how great the City of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana are,” said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.  “In Louisiana, one of the strongest bonds that unites all of us is our passion for sports.  Not only will NBA fans be able to participate in the All-Star Game events, they will also be a part of our world-famous Mardi Gras festivities.  The fan experience can’t get any better than that.  While we move into the recovery phase of this disaster, I want to thank the NBA for the vote of confidence in our state to host this event and their support of the relief efforts currently underway.  I want to congratulate Mayor Landrieu, the City of New Orleans, and the Pelicans for working in short order to make this all possible.”

“The NBA has been a great partner, so we are excited and honored to be selected to host the 2017 NBA All-Star Game,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.  “Together with the staff of the GNO Sports Foundation and the hospitality industry, the dedicated members of the New Orleans police, fire, EMS, airport, permitting and sanitation departments, among others, make these major events possible.  The combination of NBA All-Star with the first weekend of Mardi Gras will provide our residents, visitors and NBA fans an even more special experience.  Having served as Lieutenant Governor and Mayor for the two prior NBA All-Star Games held in New Orleans, I also know the NBA is committed to giving back to our community and providing great learning experiences for our kids.  The NBA and the Players Association’s generous donations to organizations responding to the devastating flooding across Louisiana is a testament to their commitment to the people of our state.”

“The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation is honored to partner with Tom and Gayle Benson and the Pelicans as the All-Star Host Committee for an unprecedented third time in the past 10 years,” said President/CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero.  “The strong relationships with our sports, governmental and hospitality communities allowed for a customary eight-month bid process to be compressed into a mere three weeks.  The 2014 All-Star Game generated over $100 million in economic impact for the State of Louisiana and the greater New Orleans area.  It’s a thrill to welcome our NBA partners back to New Orleans.”

“The NBA and New Orleans have a history of producing world-class sporting events, having most recently hosted the All-Star Game in 2014.  When we learned that we had an opportunity to host next year’s NBA All-Star Game, we went straight to work to lay the groundwork for 2017,” said President and CEO of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Stephen Perry.  “Our tourism industry is second-to-none at planning and accommodating massive events like this.  Within three weeks, we were able to ensure the NBA that all the pieces were in place to make the 2017 NBA All-Star Game an unforgettable experience that will combine our world famous Mardi Gras with all the excitement that the NBA All-Star Game delivers.”

The NBA will continue to honor its commitment to social responsibility during All-Star 2017 with a full schedule of NBA Cares and Jr. NBA events in and around New Orleans throughout the week.  By working with local schools, government agencies and nonprofits, the NBA will engage thousands of children and families and provide important resources to community-based programs.

The 2017 NBA All-Star Game will be televised in prime time on TNT for the 15^th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 32^nd year of NBA All-Star coverage.  The game will be broadcast worldwide in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages.

NBA ALL-STAR HISTORY IN NEW ORLEANS

New Orleans last hosted NBA All-Star in 2014, when the Eastern Conference overcame an 18-point deficit to post a 163-155 victory, snapping a three-game losing streak.  Kyrie Irving scored 15 of his team-high 31 points in the fourth quarter and handed out a game-high 14 assists on his way to capturing MVP honors.  Carmelo Anthony added 30 points for the East, while Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin each finished with 38 points for the West.

The 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans marked the city’s first major sporting event since Hurricane Katrina.  In addition to the East’s 134-128 victory and LeBron James’ MVP performance, more than 2,500 members of the NBA family participated in 10 local service projects across New Orleans as part of the inaugural NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service, now an annual tradition and a highlight of the league’s All-Star festivities.

In celebration of the 2016 Summer Olympics, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation reflects on the historic 1992 Men’s Track and Field Trials and the birth of our organization.

CLICK HERE to see Mike Scott of NOLA.com excellent look back at the event.

On July 24th, all kids age 5-14 are invited to the Allstate Sugar Bowl, R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl and Sun Belt Conference FREE Cheer and Football Clinic at Joe Brown Park. The Cheer and Football Clinic will feature coaches from the Sun Belt Conference and former members of the Saints and Pelicans dance team. Kids participating in the football clinic will receive instruction on football related actives and drills, while cheer clinic participants will learn routines for an end of the day performance.

CLICK HERE to register.

NEW ORLEANS, La. – May 24, 2016 – Following is a statement from Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President and CEO Jay Cicero regarding today’s decision by the National Football League to award the location of Super Bowl LIII to Atlanta, Georgia.

“We take pride in the excellent work that went into our overall bid process for Super Bowl LIII and congratulate Atlanta. We were certainly the underdog in this scenario with five cities competing for only three years, and two of those cities opening brand new stadiums. Additionally, we were only able to bid for the 2019 Super Bowl due to major events in the city in 2020 and 2021.

Although we had an incredibly competitive bid, we are not surprised at the outcome, as we were faced with nearly insurmountable odds. Submitting and winning a Super Bowl bid requires perfect timing with the right bid in the right year for both the NFL and New Orleans. In a neutrally competitive environment, we are confident in New Orleans’ ability to produce more memorable Super Bowls, and we think the NFL recognizes this fact with its invitations to New Orleans to bid.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the New Orleans hospitality community have been actively booking large-scale events, festivals and conventions to take place throughout the city. We have a lot to look forward to already in New Orleans, including the 2020 College Football National Championship and the NCAA Women’s Final Four.

New Orleans’ reputation as a host city remains the best of the best and we are confident there will be future opportunities to showcase our city’s distinctive culture, passionate fans and true appreciation of major sporting events to the NFL. We are as competitive today as ever, and the opportunity to bid would not be possible without the full cooperation from Mr. and Mrs. Benson and the New Orleans Saints, the State of Louisiana, the City of New Orleans, SMG and the Louisiana Superdome Exposition District, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.”

R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL ANNOUNCES 2016 DATE, TIME AND CONFERENCE AFFILIATIONS for 16^th ANNUAL BOWL GAME

NEW ORLEANS (April 26, 2016) – R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl officials and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation announced today that the 16^th Annual R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl will be played on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 8 p.m. (CST). The game will be played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and will feature a matchup between teams from the Sun Belt Conference and Conference USA. ESPN and ESPN Radio will air the game live.

“Sun Belt Conference football and the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl have been closely tied since their beginnings in 2001.  The Sun Belt is proud of its affiliation with its postseason bowl partners as each provides a unique and memorable experience for student-athletes and fans. We are looking forward to another great New Orleans Bowl this upcoming season,” said Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson.

The New Orleans Bowl and Conference USA have a long-standing relationship that began in 2002.

“We are pleased to once again be a part of the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl,” C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod said. “Our schools have a rich history in this game and New Orleans will be a wonderful destination for one of our teams again this December.”

In its 16^th year, the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl and its affiliated events continue to grow and create significant impact on the city of New Orleans, generating an estimated economic impact in excess of $20 million annually.

“Since its inception 16 years ago, the number one goal of the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Committee, staff and volunteers has been to create a special experience for the student-athletes, coaches, administrators and their fans. This December, we look forward to continuing what has become a great New Orleans tradition,” said bowl Executive Director Billy Ferrante.

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About R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Organized in 2001, the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl is managed by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, established in 1988, and whose mission it is to attract, manage and promote sporting events to the Greater New Orleans area for the purposes of economic impact.

For more information on the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, visit www.neworleansbowl.org.

Twitter: @Neworleansbowl

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewOrleansBowl

About R+L Carriers:

R+L Carriers is a family owned and operated Global freight shipping company based in the United States. Celebrating 50 years of service in 2015, R+L Carriers, Inc. serves the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic with LTL, Truckload, Business Critical, Logistics and more. To learn more about R+L Carriers’ Worldwide shipping solutions visit their corporate website at: www.rlcarriers.com.

From April 14^th-17^th Olympic hopefuls and AVP Stars took to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain to compete in the 2016 AVP New Orleans Open at Laketown, Kenner.

The first stop of the 2016 tour, the AVP New Orleans Open attracted thousands of fans to the Greater New Orleans area and showcased the region on a live NBC. Along with thousands of fans, the one day qualifier and three day tournament brought hundreds of tournament hopefuls, including decorated 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist Misty-May Treanor.

Kendra Van Zwieten and partner Kim DiCello outlasted LSU’s former all-SEC standout Angela Bensend and teammate Geena Urango to win the women’s title. In the men’s division, Ryan Doherty and John Mayer defeated 2015 New Orleans Open Champions Casey Patterson and Jake Gibb.

“Beach volleyball is the most popular Summer Olympic sport and to see these Olympic hopefuls in our backyard before they head to Rio is exciting,” said Sports Foundation President/CEO Jay Cicero. “Not only does the event provide an economic impact to the area, but the live NBC broadcast will promote our region to millions of viewers across the country.”

Working alongside the City of Kenner and Jefferson Parish, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation served as the Local Organizing Committee to bring the AVP back to Kenner for the second time in two years and hope to continue the relationship for years to come.

Click Here to see the action.

Congratulations to all 2016 Chevron Scholar Athletes. Click video to see the winners reactions.

Each month, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation produces the “Sport Report”. The Sport Report is a newsletter that outlines the organization’s mission moving forward while providing an entertaining look at the past. To view current and past editions of the Sport Report, please click on the links provided below.

May 2016: CLICK HERE

April 2016: CLICK HERE

March 2016: CLICK HERE

February 2016: CLICK HERE

January 2016: CLICK HERE