Archive for the ‘Omaha Sports Commission’ Category

« Older Entries

U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming Will Return to Omaha in 2016

Monday, April 29th, 2013

USA Swimming, in collaboration with the United States Olympic Committee, announced Saturday that Omaha, Neb., has been selected as the host city for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming.

The 2016 Olympic Trials ranks as the biggest swimming event in the country and will select the 2016 U.S. Olympic Swim Team, which will represent Team USA in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The competition will take place at the CenturyLink Center Omaha and that dates will soon become available on www.usaswimming.org/trials.

For the first time, the host city selection was announced via a live webcast from the USA Swimming Board of Directors Meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo. The USA Swimming Board approved the selection of Omaha as host city today prior to the live announcement.

“We are thrilled to bring Olympic Trials back to Omaha in 2016,” said Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming executive director. “The Olympic Trials is a spectacular event, offering a great experience for our athletes, fans, families and coaches. Trials is our sport’s signature event and in announcing Omaha as the 2016 host city today, we are lighting the fuse for literally hundreds of thousands of young swimmers who will be setting their sights on qualifying to participate in the greatest swimming event in the country.”

The 2016 bid city evaluation period opened in January 2013 and included site visits to six finalist locations. An internal evaluation team from USA Swimming, along with a member of the USA Swimming board, visited each location and selected finalists from the group. Three finalist cities were announced at the end of March and included Omaha, Nebraska, St. Louis, Missouri and San Antonio, Texas.

In addition to reviewing the bids and making site visits, this team asked follow-up questions of each city and evaluated all information and responses before ultimately making a recommendation to Wielgus, the USA Swimming Board of Directors and the USOC.

“On behalf of the Omaha Sports Commission, the citizens and corporations of Omaha, I wish to thank USA Swimming and the USOC for having the confidence in our abilities to deliver the goods for a third consecutive Trials,” said Harold Cliff, president of the Omaha Sports Commission. We are ecstatic for the opportunity to host the world’s best swimmers in their quest to represent Team USA in Rio 2016.”

Two temporary 50-meter pools for Trials will be installed by Myrtha Pools in the CentruryLink Center Omaha, the state-of-the-art, 17,000-seat sports and entertainment venue in downtown Omaha. The convention center will once again serve as the home for the award-winning, 100,000 square-foot USA Swimming Aqua Zone, a sponsor and fan experience area.

USA Swimming is coming off a year in which it saw its most successful Trials event in history. The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming, held in Omaha, Neb., saw over 164,000 fans in attendance and the eight days of competition were broadcast LIVE on NBC television every night.

The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming was also nominated in the category of “Sports Event of the Year” for the illustrious Sports Business Awards. Olympic Trials is in the company of three other major sporting events, including the Ryder Cup, the Stanley Cup Finals and the United States Grand Prix. The winner will be announced next month.

Since 2004, USA Swimming has consistently expanded the reach of the Olympic Trials. Attendance numbers have soared; and the Aqua Zone, a fan and sponsor experience area, has grown to bring swimming to a wider audience.

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for all sports is a collaborative, three-way partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee, the National Governing Bodies and the local organizing committee

Posted in Century Link Center, Events, Olympic Swim Trials, Omaha Sports Commission, Swimming, USA Swimming | No Comments »

Omaha Sports Commission honored UNO Award

Sunday, April 28th, 2013

The Omaha Sports Commission was presented with the Communication Achievement Award at the University of Nebraska Omaha School of Communications annual awards banquet held on May 2nd. The Award goes to organizations with leading-edge creative activity and community engagement initiatives.

Posted in Omaha Sports Commission, University of Nebraska at Omaha | No Comments »

Omaha Set to Host 2013 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

USA Volleyball announced today that the Omaha Sports Commission has been selected to host the 2013 Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship held Sept. 16-21. The Omaha Convention and Visitor’s Bureau will serve as the title sponsor and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Inc. (PTI) will be presenting sponsor for the event, which will be held at the Ralston Arena.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to compete in Omaha for the NORCECA Zone Championship,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “I got to witness one of the most electric nights of volleyball ever in Omaha during the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship of 2008, and we look forward to this chance to play on American soil in front of many of the same passionate, knowledgeable fans. Go USA!”

The event, which will be played at Ralston Arena, is expected to bring up to 10 teams from the North America, Central America and Caribbean region. Among the top women’s teams in NORCECA are the United States (#1 FIVB, #1 NORCECA), Dominican Republic (#10, #2), Cuba (#13, #3), Puerto Rico (#18, #4), Canada (#22, #5) and Mexico (#25, #6).

The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, ranked No. 1 in the current International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) world ranking, has won two consecutive Olympic Games silver medals in 2008 and 2012.

The 2013 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship gold-medal team qualifies for the 2013 FIVB Grand Champions Cup to be played Nov. 12-17 in Japan. The NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship is held every other year. Team USA is the defending champion after winning the event in 2011 at Caguas, Puerto Rico, without dropping a set in five matches.

“We are very excited that Omaha has agreed to host the NORCECA Championship,” said Tom Pingel, USA Volleyball senior director of indoor events and High Performance. “Eastern Nebraska and western Iowa have a rich tradition of supporting volleyball events in the past and I’m sure that it won’t be any different for this inaugural international volleyball tournament. We hope this will be the first of many international tournaments in the Omaha area.”

“Nebraska has one of the most passionate volleyball fan bases in the country, and we are thrilled to bring international competition to the Omaha area,” said Harold Cliff, president of the Omaha Sports Commission. “The Visit Omaha NORCECA championship will feature some of the greatest volleyball teams in the world and we expect exciting action to take place every day.”

“Bringing the U.S. Olympic medal winning team to Omaha, especially UNL alum Jordan Larson, is a tremendous achievement for the Omaha Sports Commission,” said Lisa Roskens, chair of the Omaha Sports Commission Board. “We are proud to be the host city for this major international event and the Visit Omaha NORCECA Championship will once again reinforce Omaha’s reputation as a great sports town.”

“The Visit Omaha NORCECA Championship is a great way to showcase Omaha and build upon the city’s growing reputation as a destination that knows how to host successful events,” said Dana Markel, executive director of the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team has a handful of players from the Omaha area. During the 2011 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship, University of Nebraska alumni Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) and Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) helped the U.S. secure the gold. Larson went on to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games. Metcalf is a 2004 U.S. Olympian. Both Larson and Metcalf are from towns near Omaha – Larson from Hooper, Neb., and Metcalf from Hull, Iowa. Further, University of Nebraska product Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) helped the U.S. secure gold at the 2012 Pan American Cup and bronze at the 2011 Pan American Games.

The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team has had rare opportunities to host major international competitions on American soil due to international scheduling and professional league commitments.  During the last Olympic quadrennial, the U.S. Women hosted its first-ever Pan American Cup held in Miami in 2009, followed two days later with the four-team FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament for NORCECA in Orlando. Team USA also hosted Bulgaria a three-match challenge series in July 2012 in final preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games.

From 2005 to 2008, the U.S. Women played only seven contests against foreign teams in front of a home crowd. The only other women’s senior-level international tournament hosted in the United States was the 1998 FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament for NORCECA.

Omaha has a long history of supporting both amateur and professional sporting championship events. In addition to serving as host city for the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championships in 2006 and 2008, the NCAA Divison I Men’s College World Series is annually held in Omaha. The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Swimming returned to Omaha in 2012 after hosting the event in 2008. The Prudential 2013 U.S. Figure Skating Championships was held in Omaha in January.

Cliff said the Ralston Arena, which opened in October, 2012 and seats approximately 4,000 is a perfect venue for the NORCECA Championship, ensuring every fan is close to the action on the court.

Only all session ticket packages will initially be sold, providing tickets to all six days of competition. All session tickets can be purchased starting April 15 at the Ralston Arena box office, online at www.homepridetix.com or via phone at 800-440-3741. Ticket prices are $140 and $110.

Posted in Omaha Sports Commission, Ralston Arena, USA Volleyball, Visit Omaha Women's NORCECA Continental Championships, Volleyball | No Comments »

MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION PEOPLE ATTEND RECENT OMAHA SPORTS COMMISSION EVENTS

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

The three major sports events hosted by the Omaha Sports Commission (OSC) over the past eight months are paying dividends to the city and state. Omaha Sports Commission President Harold Cliff said the three events – the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Swimming, 2013 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships and Mutual of Omaha’s Battles on Ice – provided unique sporting opportunities while showcasing Omaha on the national stage.

“Attendance for these three events totaled 271,368 and generated a combined estimated economic impact of more than $50 million,” Cliff said. “Just as important was the national exposure the events provided Omaha and the State of Nebraska. The Olympic Swim Trials and U.S. Figure Skating Championships had 16 hours of live or taped coverage on NBC, while dozens of national newspapers carried stories.”

  • The Olympic Swim Trials, held June 25 to July 2, 2012, drew 167,048 fans and generated an estimated economic impact of more than $30 million. NBC broadcast the Trials live for eight straight nights, while a national cable channel aired coverage during the day. More than 250 media were credentialed for the Trials.
  • The U.S. Figure Skating Championships, held January 20 to 27, 2013, drew 90,760 fans and generated an estimated economic impact of nearly $20 million. NBC aired eight hours of live or tape-delayed coverage of the weekend championships. More than 120 media were credentialed for the championships.
  • Mutual of Omaha’s Battles on Ice on February 9, 2013, drew 13,560 fans and had several million dollars of estimated impact as large number of North Dakota and Lincoln fans attended the event. It was the first USHL hockey game ever played outdoors, and one of the only outdoor college hockey games played this season.

Omaha Sports Commission Board Chair Lisa Roskens said OSC has more events planned for 2013.

“We are very proud of the significant contributions these three events have made to our community and state, and our efforts will continue,” Roskens said. “Later this month we’ll host the Short Track Speedskating Championships and our goal is to provide people a wide variety of sports championships throughout the year.”

Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority President and CEO Roger Dixon said Omaha has become known as one of America’s great amateur sports communities.

“It all started with the NCAA Men’s College World Series, but in the past 10 years we have taken sports championships to a new level,” Dixon said. The results once again demonstrate the wisdom of community leaders and the public to build CenturyLink Center Omaha, TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, and create the Omaha Sports Commission. We have the organization and facilities to compete on a national scale for major sporting championships.”

Robert Watson, general manager of Hilton Omaha, and Joe Gudenrath, executive director of the Downtown Improvement District, said OSC events were a tremendous boost to the local economy, especially downtown businesses.

“Hilton Omaha experienced outstanding business from Omaha Sports Commission events, as have many other area hotels,” Watson said. “The two events in 2013 were held during a traditionally slow time for our industry, so the activity was greatly appreciated.”

“Restaurants, retail stores and attractions benefitted from OSC events the past eight months,” Gudenrath said. “Few cities in the country can attract thousands of fans to sports such as swimming and figure skating, but people consistently support these events.”

Posted in Century Link Center, Figure Skating, Hockey, Mutual of Omaha, Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice, Olympic Swim Trials, Omaha Lancers, Omaha Sports Commission, Swimming, TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, U.S. Figure Skating, U.S. Figure Skating Championships, University of Nebraska at Omaha, USA Swimming | No Comments »

Volunteers needed for US Short Track Speed Skating Event

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

The OSC is currently looking for volunteers for the American Cup Final/US Speed Skating Short Track Age Group event that will be held at the Moylan IcePlex March 15-17. Below you will see information on how to sign up to help.

We ask that you sign up for 2 or more shifts to help keep our overall volunteer numbers down as well as to ensure that we have trained individuals there at all times. A volunteer training session will be held the week of (TBD).

We’re using VolunteerSpot to organize our upcoming activity. This is the first time we have used this software so please let me know if you have questions as we will be learning together.

Here are the instructions:

Please sign up for American Cup Final/US Short Track Age Gr – here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:

1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/2hkjRN
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots – VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact our offices and we can sign you up manually.

If you have questions please contact the OSC at volunteer@omahasports.org or 402/502-2218.

Posted in Moylan IcePlex, Omaha Sports Commission, Speed Skating, U.S. Speed Skating | No Comments »

OUTDOOR HOCKEY RINK NEARING COMPLETION FOR MUTUAL OF OMAHA BATTLES ON ICE

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Construction crews are completing work on the outdoor hockey rink at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha as preparations continue for the February 9 Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice. The historic outdoor double header will feature the Omaha Lancers facing off against the Lincoln Stars at noon, followed by the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks taking on North Dakota.

The Omaha Sports Commission is hosting the hockey matches and President Harold Cliff said thousands of fans have already purchased tickets.

“We’ve been very pleased with ticket response and expect a great crowd for the two match ups,” Cliff said. “Ticket interest has been strong in Omaha as well as from hockey fans in Lincoln, North Dakota and throughout the region. Outdoor hockey creates a unique atmosphere and we encourage fans to come for the action, especially since one ticket provides access to both games.”

Cliff said plans are in place to ensure that fans can take breaks from the cold weather during the two games.

  • Fans will be able to exit and re-enter the stadium once during the afternoon.
  • Main concourse restrooms and concession stands have been de-winterized and will be open during the games.
  • The Jack Diesing room near the main stadium entrance will be open for fans to warm up during the day.
  • Fans purchasing tickets in the club section will have access to second floor indoor restrooms, lounges and concession areas.

Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority President and CEO Roger Dixon said February 9 will be busy on the MECA grounds with four events taking place throughout the day.

“Saturday the 9th will once again demonstrate the versatility of MECA facilities as activities take place in the stadium, arena and convention center,” Dixon said. “In addition to the Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice, the Home & Garden show will be taking place in the convention center. That evening Creighton will have a home basketball game while a local Dancing with the Stars competition will be under way in the convention center. We encourage people to plan ahead and take advantage of the many parking options throughout the downtown area.”

Dixon said the hockey double-header should be over by 6 p.m., freeing more parking for evening events.

  • Hockey and Home & Garden Show parking on MECA property will be in Lot D across from the stadium. The lot will open at 9 a.m. and tailgating will be allowed for hockey fans before the game.
  • Parking Lot B will be available for Creighton season ticket holders. It is anticipated most of Lot D will also be available to Creighton fans by early evening as well.
  • There are approximately 5,000 parking stalls available in the downtown corridor north and south of MECA facilities.
  • Metro will operate special downtown bus service to MECA facilities. Bus service in the downtown area will cost a quarter and buses will be running every 10 minutes from different downtown locations.

Omaha Lancer owner Ben Robert said Cox Communications plans to televise the Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice for fans that can’t make it to the double header. But he encouraged area residents to experience the thrill of outdoor hockey.

“In every city where outdoor hockey games have been played, fans have raved about the excitement created in a stadium atmosphere,” Robert said. “Battles on Ice offers fans two games featuring fierce rivals. The coaches and players can’t wait for the puck to drop and the action to start.”

UNO Associate Athletic Director Mike Kemp said players on all four teams can’t wait for the chance to play a season game outside.

“Many of the players on all four teams grew up playing outdoor hockey and the chance to play before a large crowd at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha will be a great experience,” Kemp said. “The two games will be very competitive and it will be some of the best hockey action fans will see this year.”

Posted in Events, Hockey, Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice, Omaha Lancers, Omaha Sports Commission, TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, University of Nebraska at Omaha | No Comments »

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR OMAHA’S FIRST HOCKEY OUTDOOR DOUBLE-HEADER

Monday, October 1st, 2012

Tickets are now on sale for one of the most anticipated winter sports events ever held in Omaha. The Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice will be held Saturday, February 9, 2013 at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. The outdoor double-header will feature the Omaha Lancers playing United States Hockey League opponent the Lincoln Stars at 12:30 p.m., followed by the UNO Mavericks facing off against Western Collegiate Hockey Association foe North Dakota.

One ticket provides admission to both games and prices start at $30. The games are being presented by the Omaha Sports Commission, working with the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Omaha Lancers hockey programs. Mutual of Omaha is the title sponsor of the event. Tickets will be sold through ticketmaster.com and CenturyLink Omaha box office. Omaha Lancer and UNO Maverick season ticket holders were given an opportunity to purchase tickets late last week and officials say the initial response has been tremendous.

“Since announcing the Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice last February, we have been asked numerous times when tickets would be on available and we are pleased to announce public sales start today,” Omaha Sports Commission President Harold Cliff said. “The Omaha Sports Commission is proud to host this event and we want to thank Mutual of Omaha for serving as title sponsor of this unique sports competition.”

“UNO hockey fans could not be more excited for this game, and we have heard from hundreds of North Dakota hockey fans who intend to travel to Omaha and see these incredible games,” UNO’s Director of Athletics Trev Alberts said. “Mutual of Omaha’s Battles on Ice will showcase all that UNO hockey has going for it and provide excellent national exposure
to our program.”

“This will be an historic season for the Omaha Lancers, as we start in our new home at the Ralston Arena and then play in this great event at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha,” Omaha Lancers President and Managing Partner Ben Robert said. “The Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice is generating great excitement among our fans, and we know a number of Lincoln Stars fans will travel I-80 to see this great double-header.”

“Mutual of Omaha is proud to sponsor Battles on Ice and we are hoping for a packed stadium of hockey fans,” Mutual of Omaha Senior Vice President John Hildenbiddle said.  “The Omaha Sports Commission is to be commended for helping bring everyone together and creating another memorable sports event for our community.”

For housing reservations for this event please visit: www.visitomaha.com/battlesonice.

 

Posted in Hockey, Mavericks, Mutual of Omaha, Omaha Lancers, Omaha Sports Commission, TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, University of Nebraska at Omaha | No Comments »

2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials and 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Nominated for a SportsTravel Award

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

Omaha is pleased to announce that the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials and 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament have been nominated by the readers of SportsTravel magazine for the 2012 Sports Travel Award. Events are nominated by the readers of SportsTravel, the sports world’s event magazine. Criteria for nomination and voting include superior organization of and attendance at the events, a superior experience for the competitors and/or spectators at the events, and how the site or venue served to enhance the events. Final balloting is open through August 15, 2012. Winners will be announced at the TEAMS ’12 Conference & Expo, October 1-4, 2012, in Detroit.

Official ballots are available in the July and August issues of SportsTravel magazine. Readers may also find more information and vote online at http://www.SportsTravelMagazine.com. The ballot includes nominees in amateur, collegiate and professional categories. Awards in those three categories will be given for best single-sport event, best multi-sport or multi-discipline event, and best sports event series or circuit. Voters will also pick the best new sports event and an overall Sports Event of the Year from among the nominated events.

The TEAMS ’12 Conference and Expo is the world’s largest annual gathering for the sports event and sports-related travel industry. For further information or to register, visit http://www.TEAMSconference.com.

TEAMS and SportsTravel are owned by Schneider Publishing, the Los Angeles-based company that also publishes Association News magazine. The group travel markets served by Schneider Publishing generate 106 million room nights annually. For further information, please call toll-free (877) 577-3700.

Posted in Century Link Center, Olympic Swim Trials, Omaha Sports Commission, Swimming, USA Swimming | No Comments »

OMAHA SPORTS COMMISSION BRINGS OUTDOOR HOCKEY TO TD AMERITRADE PARK OMAHA WITH THE MUTUAL OF OMAHA BATTLES ON ICE

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Outdoor hockey is coming to Omaha on Saturday, February 9, 2013. The Omaha Sports Commission, Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA), University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha Lancers and Mutual of Omaha jointly announced TD Ameritrade Park Omaha will be the site for this first-of-its-kind hockey event. The Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice will feature the Omaha Lancers playing United States Hockey League opponent the Lincoln Stars at 12:30 p.m., followed by the UNO Mavericks facing off against Western Collegiate Hockey Association foe the North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

Tickets for the two games will go on sale Monday, October 1, 2012, and prices will start at $30. One ticket will cover both the Omaha Lancers and UNO Mavericks games. Officials expect the Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice will draw hockey fans from across the region. Tickets will be sold through ticketmaster.com and the CenturyLink Omaha box office, with Omaha Lancer and UNO Maverick season ticket holders given 72-hour advance opportunity to purchase tickets through CenturyLink Omaha.

“Outdoor hockey games have become extremely popular in cities around the country and we think games featuring UNO, the Omaha Lancers and their rivals will be a big hit in Omaha,” Omaha Sports Commission President Harold Cliff said. “The Omaha Sports Commission is proud to host this event and we want to thank Mutual of Omaha for serving as title sponsor of this unique sports competition.

“We believe outdoor hockey will be extremely popular at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha,” MECA President and CEO Roger Dixon said. “Our goal is to offer a wide variety of sporting events at the ballpark and we think outdoor hockey will be an exciting attraction.”

“This will be a tremendous event both for our long-time fans and folks who may be relatively new to college hockey,” UNO’s Director of Athletics Trev Alberts said. “As we attempt to grow our flagship sport, a game like this will showcase all that UNO hockey has going for it – a supportive community, great facilities, outstanding opponents and national exposure.”

“Our players are already excited to play in a game like this, which is sure to receive plenty of local and national attention,” said Dean Blais, UNO Mavericks head coach. “We have had very competitive games against North Dakota since we joined the WCHA, and playing outdoors in front of a big crowd will only make these games more fun for everyone.”

“Lancers fans have seen a lot in the long and storied history of the Omaha Lancers, but they haven’t seen anything like this,” Omaha Lancers President and Managing Partner Ben Robert said. “This year begins with the opening of our new arena in Ralston, while the February 9 Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice will showcase two fixtures of the Omaha sports community against two of their biggest rivals in what will be a day the City of Omaha will never forget.”

“An extraordinary amount of hard work has been done to make this event possible,” said Mike Aikens, Omaha Lancers head coach. “It will be a great day for hockey, the people of Omaha and State of Nebraska.”

“The Lancers-Stars rivalry is known for being one of the fiercest and most respected in amateur sports, and showcases what USHL hockey is all about,” Lincoln Stars President Jim Pflug said.  “We appreciate the effort of everyone to make Mutual of Omaha’s Battles on Ice a reality.”

“Bringing these two teams together in an event like this will only add to the intensity that has been established over the years,” said Chad Johnson, Lincoln Stars head coach. “We’re looking forward to being a part of it.”

“This game will be an exceptional, and unique, opportunity to showcase collegiate hockey,” said North Dakota Athletics Director Brian Faison. “We are looking forward to a great event.”

“This will be a great event and an exciting venue to continue building the healthy rivalry that we have with the Mavericks,” said Dave Hakstol, North Dakota Fighting Sioux head coach. “Our team and fans are looking forward to the opportunity to be part of an outdoor game that is sure to bring national attention to college hockey.”

“The UNO Mavericks and Omaha Lancers both have outstanding hockey traditions and Battles on Ice will showcase these two great teams as never before,” Mutual of Omaha Senior Vice President John Hildenbiddle said. “Mutual of Omaha is very proud to sponsor this unique event, further establishing Omaha as the nation’s amateur sports capital.”

Posted in Omaha Sports Commission | No Comments »

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2013 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN OMAHA

Monday, February 6th, 2012

U.S. Figure Skating and the Omaha Sports Commission announced today that championship weekend ticket packages are now on sale for the 2013 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The event is set for Jan. 20-27, 2013, at the CenturyLink Convention Center and Arena in Omaha, Neb.

Held annually since 1914, the U.S. Championships are the nation’s most prestigious figure skating event. Past winners include Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Scott Hamilton and Evan Lysacek. Champions will be crowned in 12 events: ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dancing at the senior, junior and novice levels.

Starting at $95, championship weekend ticket packages provide admission to all senior-level events during the second weekend of competition, including the senior ladies, men’s, pairs and ice dancing free skate finals.

The U.S. Championships, which serve as the final qualifying event for the U.S. World Figure Skating Team and the Olympic Winter Games (when applicable), annually attract more than 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials and generate up to $20-25 million in economic impact for host cities. U.S. Figure Skating is partnering with the Omaha Sports Commission (OSC) to organize the event.

“The 2012 U.S. Championships are now underway in San Jose, California, and next year at this time we will be proud to host this incredible event in Omaha,” Omaha Sports Commission Assistant Director Keith Station said. “The championship weekend ticket packages provide the best way for families to see the stars of skating compete. We encourage people to get their tickets early so they have the best seats to watch this outstanding competition.”

ingle-session tickets will be available at a later date. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, by calling 800.745.3000 or at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office.

The 2013 championships will be broadcast live on NBC Sports and online at icenetwork.com. Recent U.S. Championships have been held in Spokane, Wash. (2010) and Greensboro, N.C. (2011). The 2012 U.S. Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships are being hosted through Jan. 29, from HP Pavilion at San Jose. For full event coverage, please visit icenetwork.com.

Posted in Omaha Sports Commission | No Comments »

« Older Entries