Sports In The Springs "Super Week" Almost Here!

By: Mike Moran

June 14, 2010

Mike Moran was the chief spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee through thirteen Games, 1980-2002. The Omaha, Nebraska native was the Sports Information Director at the University of Colorado for a decade before joining the USOC in 1978 as it left New York City for Colorado Springs. He was the Senior Communications Counselor for NYC2012, New York City’s Olympic bid group from 2003-2005 and is now a media consultant. Reach him at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  and read more of his columns at www.coloradospringssports.org

One of the best sports weeks in the history of Colorado Springs is almost on us, and if you haven’t made your plans to be part of it, get moving now………..to use a time-worn phrase, there is really something for everyone during this awesome seven days in June, and rarely has our burg been host to the kind of special sports events in such a narrow window of time…….chuck the old notion that summertime is slower and come out and play!

June 23-27: FIBA Americas U18 Basketball Championship For Women, Sports Center I at the U.S. Olympic Training Center……….Open to all hoops junkies, the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women tournament format features eight teams divided into two preliminary round groups: Canada, Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico in Group A; and Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico and the USA in Group B. Preliminary round play will be held June 23, 24 and 25, and each team will play the other three teams in its preliminary group. The top two finishing teams in each preliminary round group will then advance to the June 26 medal round semifinals and play for 1st-4th places……… The FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women finals will be held Sunday, June 27………The top four finishing teams in this year’s FIBA Americas U18 Championship will earn berths in the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship………Originally known as the FIBA Americas Junior World Championship Qualifying Tournament, the event had been held every four years since 1988………..The 12-player roster includes the best under-18 players in the USA: Diamond DeShields (Norcross H.S./Norcross, Ga.); Stefanie Dolson (Minisink Valley H.S./Port Jervis, N.Y.); Reshanda Gray (Washington Prep H.S./Los Angeles, Calif.);  Cassie Harberts (San Clemente H.S./San Clemente, Calif.); Bria Hartley (North Babylon H.S./North Babylon, N.Y.); Malina Howard (Twinsburg H.S./Twinsburg, Ohio); Alexis Jones (MacArthur H.S./Irving, Texas); Allyson Malott (Madison H.S./Middletown, Ohio); Kayla McBride (Villa Maria Academy/Erie, Pa.); Chiney Ogwumike (Cy-Fair H.S./Cypress, Texas); Cassie Peoples (Cy-Fair H.S./Houston, Texas) and Theresa Plaisance (Vandebilt Catholic H.S./Marrero, La.)……USA women’s teams have an impressive 33-2 overall record in U18/Junior Qualifiers and have won gold in 1988, 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2008, while capturing silver in 1992 and 1998. Information at www.usabasketball.com

June 25:  Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Fan Fest, Downtown Colorado Springs 5:00-10:00 p.m………join 30,000 fans downtown for the chance to meet Pace Car driver John Andretti and enjoy seeing the cars and motorcycles in the Hill Climb……there’s also a Fire Fighter Chili Cook-Off, live music, the Denver Bronco Cheerleaders, Red Bull Motorcycle Jumpers, food and drinks and the Budweiser Beer Garden, meet the drivers and racers, too……presented by Budweiser. Information at: www.ppihc.com

June 26: USOC Community Appreciation Day Celebration: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the U.S. Olympic Complex Visitor Center, 1750 East Boulder Street, at the corner of Boulder & Union…….The USOC will present athlete autograph sessions that will include medal winners from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, live sport demonstrations (BMX, Freestyle Skiing Aerialists and more), live bands, prize giveaways, popcorn, balloons and face-painting, U.S. Olympic Shop sale, and all kinds of fun stuff for the whole family, and it’s FREE! (Free overflow parking will be available at 1801 N. Union (at the SW corner of the lot). Free shuttles will run between the overflow lot and the Olympic Complex) Toll-Free Information Number: 888-659-8687 Visitor Center Front Desk Information Number (9AM to 5PM): 719-866-4618

June 27: The 88^th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb: America’s second oldest motorsports race behind the Indy 500 roars up America’s Mountain again……….join some 5,000 fans on the Hill to see the Race To The Clouds take its place in history as more than 160 drivers and motorcycle races fight to be King of the Mountain, including four-time Unlimited Champion Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima…….Tickets are a must….go to: www.ppihc.com or call Tickets West at : (Toll Free) 866-464-2626 or 719-576-2626.

June 29: The Sports Corp College Football Kickoff Luncheon: Noon at the Colorado Springs Marriott………Head coaches Troy Calhoun (Air Force), Steve Fairchild (CSU), John Wristen (CSU-Pueblo) and Scott Downing (Northern Colorado) will be on hand to give fans a preview of the upcoming season…..so will University of Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn, who will bring everybody up to speed about the Buffs and CU’s entry into the PAC-10 Conference and the seismic realignment of college sports conferences shaking the sports nation……..Tickets priced at just $25.00 each and tables of ten are available by contacting Sloane Pavalock at The Sports Corp, (719) 634-7333, ext. 2009 or e-mailing her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Here’s What Else The Sports Corp has For You This Year:

July 12-17- USA Boxing National Championships, OTC (Championship Night at Crowne Plaza)

July 30-August 1- 2010 Rocky Mountain State Games

Sept. 23-25- U.S. Olympic Assembly, The Antlers Hilton Hotel

October 27- Colorado Springs Sports Hall Of Fame Banquet & Induction Ceremony, World Arena

Visit Us At: www.coloradospringssports.org